Football Pride event at Chelsea FC in June to feature award-winning stage show PITCH
SOLD OUT! All-day event celebrating LGBTQ culture in football returns on Friday 28 June 2024, this time in London; confirmed performance of acclaimed ‘PITCH’, a theatrical production about a grassroots queer football team; speakers include Georgia Robert from TV’s ‘I Kissed A Girl’; updates here on packed programme…
Football Pride, a unique event that brings together LGBTQ people and allies from across the sport, is coming to London for 2024.
The Chelsea FC Foundation will host a packed all-day programme celebrating queer football culture at Stamford Bridge on Friday 28 June (9.30am to 5pm), ahead of the annual Pride in London parade through the heart of the city on the Saturday.
A major highlight of the Friday event will be a special performance of ‘PITCH’, a theatrical production about a grassroots team.
The play wowed audiences at last summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with its charismatic cast, witty script and impressive choreography.
Written and devised by November Theatre, the 70-minute show – described as “joyful and dynamic” by The Stage, and “stirring and spirit-lifting” by LondonTheatre1 – will be followed by a Q&A.
Sponsors signed up for Football Pride 2024 include the Football Association, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the EFL, Fare, PGMOL and Fans for Diversity.
Our media partner is She’s A Baller.
On the event programme (times approx)…
- 1000 to 1015 – Welcome to Football Pride Part 1!
- 1015 to 1100 – PANEL: ‘Rainbow Ball, Future Goals’ – How can campaigns help LGBTQ fans maintain momentum?
- 1100 to 1120 – Screening of short film (to be announced soon!)
- 1120 to 1135 – Drinks break
- 1135 to 1155 – Short film Q&A
- 1155 to 1215 – Fireside chat (to be announced soon!)
- 1215 to 1300 – PANEL: ‘Love is Love, Football is Life’ – Relationships and realities, with stars as seen on TV!
- 1300 to 1345 – Lunch break
- 1345 to 1350 – Welcome to Football Pride Part 2!
- 1350 to 1500 – ‘PITCH’ performance
- 1500 to 1515 – Drinks break
- 1515 to 1530 – Post-performance Q&A
- 1530 to 1605 – PANEL: ‘This Team Rocks My World!’ – Inspirational stories shared by trailblazing community clubs
- 1605 to 1650 – PANEL: ‘A Tournament Truly for All?’ – The Pride potential in World Cup 2026 – and what lies beyond…
- 1650 to 1700 – Full-time whistle
- 1700 to 1800 – Networking drinks
Speakers will include footballers Georgia Robert and Lailah Muscat from TV’s ‘I Kissed a Girl’; referee Mikey Connor from TV’s ‘I Kissed a Boy’; history-making striker Zander Murray; Counter Pressed podcaster Becky Taylor-Gill; FvT campaign lead Natalie Washington; campaigner and author Arthur Webber; presenter / reporter / Actonians LFC player Shadia Edwards-Dashti; campaigner and Fans for Diversity lead Hannah Kumari; ED&I consultant Liz Ward; TReNBI FC player Luna Armstrong; Baesianz FC’s Lydia Birgani-Nia; Inter Melanin FC’s India Bigg; performance poet Leilah King; referee Ryan Atkin; Pride in Football’s Rishi Madlani; Fare executive director Piara Powar – check back here for more speaker announcements
After the programme’s conclusion, there will be an evening social.
There is also an opportunity for those interested in marching in the Saturday parade.
Football v Homophobia delivered the first in-person Football Pride at Manchester Pride in August 2023.
Guest speakers in Manchester included Zander Murray, who had come out publicly in Scottish men’s football the previous year.
He praised the event and said it was “incredible to be part of a community” uniting for inclusion within the sport.
FvH will be announcing more guest speakers, exhibitions and activities that will feature at Football Pride on 28 June.
Members of the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective will be among those taking part, plus friends from Sports Media LGBT+, fan groups affiliated to Pride in Football and others from the wider FvH campaign family.
As was the case last year, there will be time dedicated to amplifying local voices and showcasing the impressive work of inclusive clubs and groups nearby.
Enquiries are encouraged from organisations, businesses and brands who are interested in getting involved with the event, with sponsorship and partnership opportunities available.
Lou Englefield, campaign director of FvH, said: “Football Pride is all about belonging – an event that says we’re here, we’re queer and we’re part of the beautiful game.
“Sadly we’re currently seeing a rise in reports of homophobia and transphobia in football. That’s why we should celebrate our community’s culture and the inclusion we’ve all achieved together so far.
“We’re so grateful to our friends at the Chelsea FC Foundation who will be hosting us in west London and to those signed up so far as sponsors and supporters.
“We look forward to welcoming LGBTQ people and active allies on Friday 28 June for what promises to be another uplifting day.”
Tickets for Football Pride have now SOLD OUT.
For more information about the event, contact FvH on info@footballvhomophobia.com.
You can follow Football Pride on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Check back here for further updates and more details!
Interested in sponsorship and partnership opportunities?
Please email jon@footballvhomophobia.com to make an enquiry.
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