Events Calendar 📅
Every grassroots football event in one place — tournaments, campaigns, fundraisers, and more across the 2026 season. 60 upcoming events listed below.
- SafeguardingRecurring
Safeguarding Awareness Month
January 2026
Clubs review DBS checks, welfare officers, and safeguarding policies. FA provides updated resources.
View in Safeguarding → - TrainingRecurring
McDonald's Fun Football Sessions
Weekly, year-round
Free weekly football sessions for children aged 5-11, delivered in partnership with the FA. Over 1,000 venues across England.
View in Community → - TrainingRecurring
FA Emergency First Aid Course Sessions
Monthly, year-round
Mandatory for all team coaches. 3-hour course covering injuries, concussion, and emergency response for match days.
View in Coaching → - FundraisingRecurring
Football Foundation Grant Deadlines
Rolling applications
The Football Foundation offers grants for pitches, pavilions, and equipment. Rolling deadlines — plan ahead for capital projects.
View in Fundraising → - SafeguardingRecurring
DBS Check Renewal Reminder
Rolling — check every 3 years
All coaches and volunteers working with children must have an up-to-date DBS check. County FAs process renewals year-round.
View in Safeguarding → - TournamentRecurring
EFL Kids Cup
Regional rounds Jan–Mar 2026
National primary school competition linked to EFL clubs. Schools represent their local club in 5-a-side matches leading to a Wembley final.
View in Pathway → - TrainingRecurring
FA Playmaker Course
Available year-round (online)
Free 1-hour online coaching introduction from England Football. Perfect for parents helping at training — no experience needed.
View in Coaching → - TrainingRecurring
FA Respect Marshals Training
Rolling dates via County FAs
Free training to become a Respect Marshal at your child's club. Help ensure a positive, safe matchday environment for all.
View in Safeguarding → - TournamentRecurring
FA People's Cup
Regional rounds throughout season
The nation's biggest small-sided tournament. Open to teams, communities, and workplaces. Finals at St George's Park.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
Half-Term Football Festivals
February & October 2026
County FAs and clubs run mini-festivals during school half-terms. Non-competitive, fun, and open to all abilities.
View in Community → - SafeguardingRecurring
NSPCC Safeguarding in Sport Week
February 2026
NSPCC runs workshops and resources for sports clubs. Free downloadable guides for coaches and welfare officers.
View in Safeguarding → - CommunityRecurring
FA National Game Awards
Nominations Feb–April, Awards August 2026
Nominate your grassroots hero! Awards for best coach, volunteer, and club — winners celebrated at Wembley.
View in Community → - FundraisingRecurring
Bobby Moore Fund Football Marathon
February–March 2026
Cancer Research UK grassroots football fundraiser. Clubs play marathon matches and sponsored events in memory of Bobby Moore.
View in Fundraising → - CommunityRecurring
WSL Community Days
Various dates, season-long
Women's Super League clubs open their doors to grassroots girls' teams. Free coaching sessions, ground tours, and meet-the-players events.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Women's Continental Cup Final
February 2026
The women's League Cup final. A great opportunity to take grassroots girls' teams to watch elite women's football at a major venue.
View in Pathway → - CommunityRecurring
EFL Day of Action
March 2026
Annual community event where all 72 EFL clubs run free grassroots activities. Sessions in schools, parks, and community centres across England.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
National Futsal Series Finals
March 2026
The pinnacle of English futsal. National League finals across men's, women's, and youth categories. Fast-paced indoor 5v5 action.
View in Community → - CampaignRecurring
Grass Pitch Maintenance Month
March 2026
Institute of Groundsmanship campaign helping grassroots clubs improve pitch quality. Free webinars, guides, and discounted equipment.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Mini Soccer Festival
Regional, throughout season
County FA-run mini soccer festivals for U7-U10s. Non-competitive, fun format with multiple short games. A highlight for young players.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
ESFA Regional Finals Festival
Dates vary by region
Annual event celebrating schools' football talent. Regional finals lead to national competitions.
View in Pathway → - TournamentRecurring
English Schools FA National Finals
April–May 2026
ESFA national finals across U11–U18 age groups. Schools from every county compete for the national title at neutral venues.
View in Pathway → - TournamentRecurring
FA People's Cup Finals Weekend
April 2026
National finals of the FA People's Cup at St George's Park. Teams from walking football, disability, and community categories all compete.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Sunday Cup Semi-Finals & Final
April–May 2026
The climax of the FA Sunday Cup. Semi-finals and a final at a neutral venue for Sunday league grassroots teams from across England.
View in Community → - FundraisingRecurring
Football Shirt Friday
April 2026
Wear your football shirt to work/school and donate to the Bobby Moore Fund. Grassroots clubs encouraged to participate as teams.
View in Fundraising → - CampaignRecurring
Mental Health Awareness Week
May 2026
Mind charity partnership with FA. Clubs encouraged to hold wellbeing sessions and promote mental health resources for players and parents.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
Danone Nations Cup — UK Qualifiers
May–June 2026
The world's largest youth football tournament for U12s. Regional qualifiers across England lead to a national final and world finals.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Vase Final
May 2026
The grassroots FA Vase final at Wembley. Non-league clubs from Steps 5–6 compete for the ultimate grassroots trophy.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Trophy Final
May 2026
National League and Steps 3–4 clubs compete at Wembley. A great day out for families supporting non-league football.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
Powerchair Football Cup Finals
May 2026
National finals of the WFA Powerchair Football Cup. Teams from across England compete in this exciting, fast-paced wheelchair sport.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
Volunteers' Week
1–7 June 2026
National celebration of volunteers. Clubs encouraged to thank their army of parent-helpers, coaches, and committee members.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
FA Disability Football Festival
June 2026
Annual national festival at St George's Park celebrating disability football. Includes pan-disability, powerchair, blind, deaf, and frame football.
View in Community → - CampaignRecurring
National School Sports Week
June 2026
Youth Sport Trust's annual celebration. Schools host football tournaments, taster sessions, and inter-school competitions across every county.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
PFA Community Champion Awards
June 2026
Professional Footballers' Association awards recognising outstanding community work by grassroots clubs, coaches, and volunteers.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
National Walking Football Week
June 2026
A week of walking football taster sessions and tournaments for over-50s and over-60s. Perfect for grandparents who want to stay active.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
National Blind Football Tournament
July 2026
National competition for visually impaired footballers. An inspiring showcase of skill and determination. Open to spectators.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Youth Cup — Preliminary Rounds
August–September 2026
The famous youth cup starts with grassroots and non-league academy teams. A chance for local kids to dream big.
View in Pathway → - TrainingRecurring
Referee Recruitment Drive
August–September 2026
County FAs run referee courses at reduced prices to address the shortage. Junior ref courses available from age 14.
View in Pathway → - CampaignRecurring
FA Respect Week
September 2026
Season-opening initiative promoting respect on and off the pitch. Clubs encouraged to display banners and sign codes of conduct.
View in Community → - TrainingRecurring
Weetabix Wildcats Sessions
Weekly (term-time), September–July
FA fun football sessions for girls aged 5-11 who want to try football in a welcoming, girls-only environment. Nationwide venues.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
County FA Open Days
Various dates, September–October
County FAs host open days for new coaches, volunteers, and parents. Free taster coaching courses, safeguarding workshops, and club support.
View in Community → - TournamentRecurring
FA Sunday Cup — Early Rounds
September–October 2026
The grassroots FA Cup for Sunday league teams. Open to all affiliated clubs — a real David vs Goliath competition.
View in Community → - TrainingRecurring
FA Coaching Week
September 2026
Free and discounted coaching courses during the season kick-off. FA Playmaker, Level 1, and emergency first aid all available.
View in Coaching → - CommunityRecurring
Walking Football Festival
September 2026
National walking football festivals for over-50s and over-60s. Perfect for parents and grandparents who want to play alongside their kids' season.
View in Community → - CampaignRecurring
UEFA Grassroots Week
September 2026
UEFA-backed pan-European celebration of grassroots football. English clubs encouraged to host open sessions and participation drives.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
FA Youth Council Elections
September 2026
Young people aged 11-17 can stand for election to County FA Youth Councils. A chance to shape the future of grassroots football.
View in Pathway → - CampaignRecurring
FA Grassroots Football Week
October 2026
Nationwide celebration of grassroots football. Free taster sessions, open days, and community events at local clubs.
View in Community → - CampaignRecurring
FA Girls' Football Week
October 2026
England Football's annual drive to get more girls playing. Free taster sessions at schools and clubs across every county.
View in Community → - CampaignRecurring
Kick It Out Action Weeks
October 2026
Two weeks dedicated to fighting discrimination in football. Clubs encouraged to run anti-racism activities and education sessions.
View in Safety Hub → - TrainingRecurring
FA Goalkeeping Festival
October 2026
Regional goalkeeper-specific festivals run by County FAs. Specialist coaching, fun challenges, and a celebration of the most underrated position.
View in Coaching → - TrainingRecurring
Coaching Her Game Week
October 2026
FA initiative promoting female coaching. Free taster sessions for women interested in coaching, plus discounted FA courses.
View in Coaching → - SafeguardingRecurring
Anti-Bullying Week
November 2026
"Choose Respect" campaign. Clubs encouraged to download FA anti-bullying templates and raise awareness.
View in Community → - CommunityRecurring
Football Remembers / Poppy Weekend
November 2026
Grassroots clubs mark Remembrance with a minute's silence, poppy armbands, and wreath-laying ceremonies before matches.
View in Community → - CampaignRecurring
Rainbow Laces Campaign
November–December 2026
Stonewall's campaign promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. Clubs encouraged to wear rainbow laces, corner flags, and display banners.
View in Safety Hub → - TournamentRecurring
FA Futsal Youth Cup
Regional rounds Nov–Feb, Finals March 2026
FA-run futsal competition for youth teams. A great way to develop technical skills during the winter months with indoor small-sided play.
View in Coaching → - CampaignRecurring
FA Caps for Kids
November 2026
National kit collection campaign. Clubs gather outgrown boots, kits, and equipment to redistribute to families who can't afford them.
View in Community → - FundraisingRecurring
Children in Need Football Challenge
November 2026
BBC Children in Need themed football events. Clubs host sponsored matches, penalties, and fun runs in Pudsey fancy dress.
View in Fundraising → - FundraisingRecurring
Movember Football Fundraiser
November 2026
Grassroots clubs and coaches grow moustaches and host charity matches raising awareness for men's health issues.
View in Fundraising → - FundraisingRecurring
Christmas Fundraising Season
December 2026
Santa Runs, festive tournaments, Christmas raffles, and advent calendar challenges. Peak fundraising season for clubs.
View in Fundraising → - CommunityRecurring
National Volunteer Awards
December 2026
Sport England's annual celebration of volunteers in grassroots sport. Nominate your club's unsung heroes for national recognition.
View in Community → - Community
Grassroots Football Day
10 December 2026
Tied to World Football Day. Clubs celebrate grassroots football with open sessions, social media showcases, and community events.
View in Community →
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