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The Ball 2014'
A sunset game

Across the entire world one sport is understood in every language and requires no translation: it is football. But what is the spirit of the world’s number one sport that helps it transcend cultures? Can one single ball, spherical like the earth, accurately portray this spirit?

The Ball 2014 travelled from London through Europe and crossed the Americas in search of the spirit of football.

Quick Start Guide

On the epic journey through the 25 countries from London to Brazil, The Ball participated in education, fundraising, advocacy, press and PR activities for many inspiring causes. The Ball’s presence created news headlines for these organisations and got their message of inclusion and respect on to the agendas of national and international decision-makers.

In workshops and in schools, in the street and in stadiums, tens of thousands of people came in contact with The Ball and signed it along its journey. By the time it reached Brazil, The Ball 2014 was the most–autographed ball in the history of the sport.

In Latin America, The Ball teamed up with Special Olympics to raise public awareness of their Unified Football initiative. Events held in every country en route brought people with and without intellectual disabilities together in communities of tolerance and inclusion.

“The eye of the world has now turned for a moment to the pitches of Special Olympics football: to their hearts, to their eyes, to their minds, to their skills, to their abilities, to the joy they bring to this sport, to the joy that they can also bring to their communities every day. The Ball helped us tell that story.”
— Tim Shriver, Chairman & CEO, Special Olympics

The Ball made sure that people with special needs were very publicly seen to be included in sport without prejudice.

The Route

The route to Brazil

The map shows the route that The Ball took to reach Brazil in 2014. To find out more about its epic journey, please go to Facebook or Twitter.

Click on the map to see it in more detail

The Timetable

Dec 2013: The Ball 2014 is unveiled and is delivered to London.
Thursday, January 9th 2014: The Ball kicks off in Battersea Park, London.

Europe

  • England: Jan 9 – Jan 13
  • Scotland: Jan 14 – Jan 16
  • England: Jan 17 – Jan 19
  • Belgium: Jan 19 – Jan 20
  • Holland: Jan 20 – Jan 21
  • Germany: Jan 21 – Jan 26
  • Switzerland: Jan 26 – Jan 27
  • Italy: Jan 27 – Jan 28
  • France: Jan 28 – Jan 29
  • Spain: Jan 29 – Feb 2
  • Portugal: Feb 2 – Feb 5

North America

  • USA: Feb 5 – Mar 4
  • Mexico: Mar 4 – Mar 14

Central America

  • Guatemala: Mar 14 – Mar 21
  • Honduras: Mar 21 – Mar 29
  • Nicaragua: Mar 29 – Apr 6
  • Costa Rica: Apr 6 – Apr 14
  • Panama: Apr 14 – Apr 18

South America

  • Colombia: Apr 18 – Apr 27
  • Ecuador: Apr 27 – May 3
  • Peru: May 3 – May 11
  • Bolivia: May 11 – May 16
  • Chile: May 16 – May 23
  • Argentina: May 23 – June 1
  • Uruguay: June 1 – June 6

Brazil: June 6: Journey’s End and start of the FIFA World Cup
June 6 – World Cup Final: The Ball tours Brazil

The Ball 2018 left England on 25th March 2018 and travelled to the World Cup in Russia.

The Ball 2014 kicked off from England on 9th Jan 2014 and headed to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ball 2010 left England on 24th Jan 2010 headed to the Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Ball 2006 travelled from London to the Opening Ceremony in Munich, Germany.

The Ball 2002 was carried 7000 miles across Europe and Asia to the World Cup finals in Korea & Japan.