CUP26 kicks off fight against climate change at Wembley
Wembley Stadium today supported Planet Super League and Count Us In to launch CUP26 – a tournament encouraging football fans, children and families to take climate action.
CUP26 is the biggest ever football campaign on climate change, with 49 football club community organisations, including Premier League clubs Tottenham, West Ham and Arsenal, coming together to fight climate change. With approximately 3.5 billion football fans around the world, the tournament harnesses the global passion for the sport to fight climate change on an unprecedented scale.
In CUP26, fan action on climate determines the tournament winner. Fans sign up for free at CUP26.co.uk and score goals for their club by completing planet-protecting activities. Clubs play weekly fixtures against their rivals, and the club whose supporters score the most goals wins the match. There are 100 goal-scoring activities on the website, including having a delicious plant based meal, cycling and walking to work and school, and the Lucas Moura-supported “No Moura Landfill”, where fans are invited to show off their football skills while recycling - you can see Lucas's effort below! The tournament trophy will be awarded to the tournament winner in the first week of COP26.
The launch event at Wembley featured former England player Ledley King, the government's COP26 Climate spokesperson Allegra Stratton, children and participating club mascots.
The tournament kicks off as the world builds up to COP26, with football clubs leveraging the passion of their fans, raising awareness, driving citizen climate action, and creating real momentum ahead of the climate conference.
Tom Gribbin, CEO of Planet Super League said: “CUP26 is our largest tournament, with over half the professional football clubs in the UK taking part. Fans of all ages can represent their club, do their bit for the planet and help compete for the trophy. We’re delighted to be working alongside Count Us In and we look forward to sharing exciting moments and surprises as the season unfolds.”
Allegra Stratton, Prime Minister’s spokesperson to COP26 said: “The COP26 climate summit is our best chance for world leaders to come together to fight climate change and protect our planet for future generations. Children, schools and communities are already playing their part by going one step greener - finding ingenious ways to bring down their own carbon emissions - and now their steps will give their beloved football club the chance to win the CUP26 tournament. I am excited to see so many top clubs joining forces to use the power of football to drive change. Every family, school and workplace across the country can take part in CUP26, for their club, their community and the planet.”
Sarah Smith, The FA's Sustainability Team lead said: "We're delighted to be supporting such a fantastic initiative that has the real potential to have a positive impact in tackling the climate crisis. Football is a universal language and one we should definitely be harnessing as we seek to protect the planet. I'd encourage everyone to sign up to CUP26 and start making a difference."
Fans, schools and families can sign up for free on CUP26.co.uk from today. The tournament kicks off on Monday 13 September.
CUP26 is the biggest ever football campaign on climate change, with 49 football club community organisations, including Premier League clubs Tottenham, West Ham and Arsenal, coming together to fight climate change. With approximately 3.5 billion football fans around the world, the tournament harnesses the global passion for the sport to fight climate change on an unprecedented scale.
In CUP26, fan action on climate determines the tournament winner. Fans sign up for free at CUP26.co.uk and score goals for their club by completing planet-protecting activities. Clubs play weekly fixtures against their rivals, and the club whose supporters score the most goals wins the match. There are 100 goal-scoring activities on the website, including having a delicious plant based meal, cycling and walking to work and school, and the Lucas Moura-supported “No Moura Landfill”, where fans are invited to show off their football skills while recycling - you can see Lucas's effort below! The tournament trophy will be awarded to the tournament winner in the first week of COP26.
The launch event at Wembley featured former England player Ledley King, the government's COP26 Climate spokesperson Allegra Stratton, children and participating club mascots.
The tournament kicks off as the world builds up to COP26, with football clubs leveraging the passion of their fans, raising awareness, driving citizen climate action, and creating real momentum ahead of the climate conference.
Tom Gribbin, CEO of Planet Super League said: “CUP26 is our largest tournament, with over half the professional football clubs in the UK taking part. Fans of all ages can represent their club, do their bit for the planet and help compete for the trophy. We’re delighted to be working alongside Count Us In and we look forward to sharing exciting moments and surprises as the season unfolds.”
Allegra Stratton, Prime Minister’s spokesperson to COP26 said: “The COP26 climate summit is our best chance for world leaders to come together to fight climate change and protect our planet for future generations. Children, schools and communities are already playing their part by going one step greener - finding ingenious ways to bring down their own carbon emissions - and now their steps will give their beloved football club the chance to win the CUP26 tournament. I am excited to see so many top clubs joining forces to use the power of football to drive change. Every family, school and workplace across the country can take part in CUP26, for their club, their community and the planet.”
Sarah Smith, The FA's Sustainability Team lead said: "We're delighted to be supporting such a fantastic initiative that has the real potential to have a positive impact in tackling the climate crisis. Football is a universal language and one we should definitely be harnessing as we seek to protect the planet. I'd encourage everyone to sign up to CUP26 and start making a difference."
Fans, schools and families can sign up for free on CUP26.co.uk from today. The tournament kicks off on Monday 13 September.