The Ball

What makes The Ball 2022 special?

For the first time ever, The Ball will be travelling to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. Come and join us to kick off football’s equivalent to the Olympic Torch from where the first official game of FA Rules football was played.

More than 50 partner organisations and individuals from more than 30 countries will join us on this special journey to take action on three of the Sustainable Development Goals set out in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly: Climate Action, Gender Equality and Fair Play.

Where to find us

Football Action: Football Field, Midday to 2:30pm

A game of football with 3 halves

Official Kick-Off of The Ball and 1st half: Midday to 12:30pm
Kick-off and afterwards play with old school rules (up to 30 aside), including costumes and twirly moustaches: 30 minutes

2nd half: 12:30pm to 1pm
Modern football match (11 aside): 30 minutes

3rd half: 1pm to 2:30pm
FairPlay matches: several smaller pitches (dividing up the main pitch) using Spirit of Football’s FairPlay Rules Everyone can play regardless of gender, age, race, religion, intellectual capacity, physical ability, sexual orientation etc.

Climate Action: Stage and Grass, 2:30pm to 5pm

Music (acoustic) with the well-known American musician Keller Williams performing the song “Still Running” about climate action – written by and performed with his 17 year old daughter Ella Williams.

Poetry on climate change and climate action.

Facilitated discussions about sport and climate action.

Ball signings after kick-off – anyone in the park can sign The Ball.

Virtual Pledge event by our partner Pledgeball, whereby anyone can make a sustainable lifestyle pledge via an event QR code.

Picnic – people are welcome to bring a blanket and enjoy the great street food & bars on offer at the event.