The National Football Museum is the place to share stories about everyone's favourite game. Open ever
(1972)
No cup upsets here: the oldest surviving FA Cup trophy is still here, the centrepiece of our display dedicated to the competition.
We're taking better care of it than Aston Villa did with the original in 1895... 😉
Find out more about the trophy here: https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/collectionsnews/150-years-fa-cup/
The January giant-killing round is upon us! 🏆 We look at five of our favourite cup upsets from the Third Round of the FA Cup, featuring top-tier shocks and player sackings, career-making goals and nigh-impossible results.
https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/collectionsnews/fa-cup-third-round/
Bonus Batteries Not Included activities this weekend!
Try out some of our exhibition-themed craft workshops in the Pitch Gallery, then head upstairs to learn more about the history of football toys and games.
This winter, make your own football fun as part of the museum's Batteries Not Included exhibition!
It's almost time for our latest round of The Emirates FA Cup talks this weekend. 🕺 We can promise an insightful chat with our expert interpreters about the history of the world's oldest knockout competition.
We can't promise they'll dance like this.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/football-shorts-fa-cup-10
BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED 🔋
Children tiring of their new toys? Come and play with some of ours. We've got everything from Subbuteo and arcade games to VR training drills...
nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/batteries-not-included
Our New Year's Resolution? Get better at football. 🙈
We'll be running training drills on Rezzil's state-of-the-art virtual reality equipment all through January and February. Get your shooting boots on and practice your technique - without ever kicking a ball!
https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/batteries-not-included/
On this day in 1965, Stanley Matthews officially became a Sir.
To date, the Blackpool and Stoke City legend is the only footballer to be knighted whilst an active player. This beautiful book commemorating the event is a wonderful part of our collection.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/sir-stanley-matthews
Happy New Year! 🍻 A reminder that we are closed today. We'll be back tomorrow, fully fit and raring to go (we promise).
Book your first 2024 visit here: nationalfootballmuseum.com/tickets
Less than 24 hours until the transfer window opens and all hell breaks loose again.
If you're after some behind the scenes insight into the workings of the window, we have an Ornstein-shaped treat for you, courtesy of this year's Football Writing Festival...
📺
Join David Ornstein (The Athletic), Harriet Prior (Sky Sports), Sam Lee (The Athletic), and Shamoon Hafez (BBC Sport) in a panel discussion around the changi...
Many happy returns today to Sir Alex Ferguson.
One of the greatest managers in football history, immortalised in Michael Browne's The Art of the Game.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/sir-alex-ferguson
Born on this day, the great Gordon Banks.
The only England goalkeeper to lift the coveted World Cup, and FIFA's best stopper for six consecutive years. 🤯
nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/gordon-banks
On this day in 1920, the Dick, Kerr Ladies defeated St. Helen’s Ladies in front of a packed crowd at Goodison Park.
There was to be no sold-out festive fixture in 1921: the de facto ban on women's football came into effect just weeks before Christmas.
Read more about the groundbreaking team, their exploits and the ban here:
nationalfootballmuseum.com/collectionsnews/12-games-1920
You'll see this graphic going around the doors every Boxing Day from here to eternity. But what's the story behind those free-scoring games?
We cover it all here:
nationalfootballmuseum.com/collectionsnews/12-games-1963
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas.
We'll be open again on Wednesday 27 December. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some toys to be playing with.
If you're looking for something to do between Christmas and New Year, why not join us for a flickaround?
We'll be at Preston Market from Wednesday to Friday this week. Get hands-on with football toys, games and crafts in this snapshot of our Batteries Not Included exhibition!
Join Aimee and Sam from our Communities team for a special pop-up workshop at Preston Market, based on our current Score Gallery exhibition.
A reminder that we are closed for the Christmas period until Wednesday 27 December.
You can join us again in Manchester from Wednesday 27 December - or at Preston Market, where we will be running Batteries Not Included workshops until Friday 29 December.
Join Aimee and Sam from our Communities team for a special pop-up workshop at Preston Market, based on our current Score Gallery exhibition.
A reminder that the museum will be closed from Sunday 24 to Tuesday 26 December, then on Monday 1 January 2024.
For full opening dates and times, please see our website: nationalfootballmuseum.com/visit
Time's running out. ⌚
You've got one more day to get stuck into some football history (and last-gasp shopping) before we close for Christmas.
We'll be open again from Wednesday 27 December.
COMPETITION TIME 🦁 It's the final day of our Twelve Days of Christmas promotion, and we're closing it out with an extra-time scorcher.
Buy any item from our shop - at the museum or online - for your chance to win this 1966 England replica shirt, signed by World Cup winner George Cohen.
The competition closes at midnight tonight, with one lucky winner revealed on our shop's X and Instagram channels on Wednesday 27 December.
shop.nationalfootballmuseum.com
Fancy a game of flick football? 👌
Join us at Preston Market from this Wednesday (27 December) to make your very own version, as well as checking out some of the toys and games in our Batteries Not Included collection.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/bni-preston
Last month, researcher Jodie Neville sat down with Michele Robinson, a pioneering coach who was one of few women gaining her badges in the 1980s.
Find out more about Michele's experiences in the game in Jodie's interview here: nationalfootballmuseum.com/collectionsnews/michele-robinson
THE QUEEN 👑
This Twixmas, we're bringing a snapshot of our Batteries Not Included exhibition to Preston Market.
From Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December, get hands-on with traditional football toys and games, then set about making some of your own!
Join Aimee and Sam from our Communities team for a special pop-up workshop at Preston Market, based on our current Score Gallery exhibition.
On Saturday, Rebecca Welch will make history as the first woman to take charge of a Premier League fixture.
With this momentous occasion in mind, curator Dr Alexander Jackson has taken a look back at the history of female officials in English football:
With Rebecca Welch about to make history as the first female referee in the Premier League, Dr Alexander Jackson looks at the history of female referees in English football.
IT'S DEADLINE DAY (for UK Christmas delivery) ⌛
You've got until midday today to get your orders into our online shop to guarantee delivery in time for the big day. We've got an extra 10% off all silverware, too...
shop.nationalfootballmuseum.com
🥉 Raymond Kopa
🥈 Alfredo Di Stefano
🥇 Stanley Matthews
On this day in 1956, a 41-year-old winger from Stoke-on-Trent became the inaugural winner of the Ballon d'Or.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/sir-stanley-matthews
BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED: FESTIVE FUN 🎅
What games will you be playing this Christmas? Monopoly? Trivial Pursuit? Hungry Hungry Hippos? Send the classics to the subs' bench and make your very own football-themed board games, all next week in the Pitch Gallery.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/bni-festive
How Mary Earps *could* look on one of our trams. 🚟
This fantastic artwork by Melody Murals was created before the Women's World Cup final using Panini stickers, manifesting Mary's penalty save against Spain.
The Lionesses and Manchester United Women stopper has since won the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year, and is in the running for their Sports Personality of the Year award.
You can see the 'Mearps Mural' over the festive period on our Pitch Gallery wall.
Looking for something to keep the kids entertained between Christmas and New Year? 🎄
Our Communities team are bringing Batteries Not Included to this month. See objects from our collection, make your very own Flick Football game and more!
Join Aimee and Sam from our Communities team for a special pop-up workshop at Preston Market, based on our current Score Gallery exhibition.
Many happy returns today to Sir Geoff Hurst.
Sir Geoff wore this England jersey when he scored the first hat-trick in World Cup Final history at Wembley in 1966.
The first was a header from a quickly taken Bobby Moore free kick, levelling the scores after 18 minutes. The second, rather controversial goal came in extra time: a turn and shot from close range that bounced off the crossbar and over the line, according to linesman Tofiq Bahramov.
The third came in the game's dying seconds. A trademark long ball from Moore found Hurst in space: he attempted to blaze the ball into the stands to run down the clock, but instead lashed it into the top corner to seal England's first (and to date only) World Cup triumph.
We are immensely proud to have such an incredibly important shirt on display in our Match Gallery.
nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/geoff-hurst
Cathedral Gardens
Manchester
M43BG
| Monday | 10am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 5pm |
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Our New Year's Resolution? Get better at football. 🙈 We'll be running training drills on Rezzil's state-of-the-art virtual reality equipment all through January and February. Get your shooting boots on and practice your technique - without ever kicking a ball! https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/batteries-not-included/
Fancy a game of flick football? 👌 Join us at Preston Market from this Wednesday (27 December) to make your very own version, as well as checking out some of the toys and games in our Batteries Not Included collection. nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/bni-preston
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. We'll be open again on Wednesday 27 December. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some toys to be playing with.
Sharpen up those skills without kicking a ball. 🤯 Try out the latest virtual reality technology with Rezzil, a training tool used by clubs across the country and worldwide. nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/batteries-not-included
Not long left to apply for our film-photography masterclass on Saturday 9 December. Learn how to shoot exhibition content with photographer Emma Case at the museum, then head to FC United of Manchester for a special matchday assigment. The application window closes on Sunday 3 December. Find out how you can get involved here: nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/a-city-united-masterclass
BLACK FRIDAY ⚫ Today, you can get 15% off purchases * via our online shop, from books and balls to toys and trophies. See our full retail line-up via our website, then use the code BLACKFRIDAY23 at checkout: shop.nationalfootballmuseum.com (* excluding signed merch, discounted items and admission vouchers)
Early kick-off for Christmas presents in our shop! 🎁 Get 15% off most online purchases today and Friday using the code BLACKFRIDAY23. Check out the full retail line-up at shop.nationalfootballmuseum.com.
758 games and 249 goals for Manchester United, driving the club through its darkest days to domestic and European glory. 106 caps and 49 goals for England: a crucial part of the 1966 World Cup-winning team. Our president, an inaugural National Football Museum Hall of Fame inductee in 2002. Rest in peace, Sir Bobby. https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/bobby-charlton/
Visiting us this weekend? Get an idea of what to expect from our Batteries Not Included exhibition with this cheeky match preview, courtesy of Ben Shires: 📺 youtu.be/p9p0MSKXHls
KICKING OFF SOON! 🟠⚪ This year's Football Writing Festival features some big names from the writing game, including David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, Sam Lee and Carl Anka. Tickets to this year's festival are FREE for National Football Museum admission ticket holders. That's access to six live events, two bonus online talks and a year's worth of museum entry for just £13! Book your place here: bit.ly/fwf-2023
Your full Football Writing Festival 2023 line-up... FREE with museum admission and for City of Manchester residents! TUE 24 OCTOBER, 7PM (at Plymouth Argyle) Jack Leslie: The Lion Who Never Roared bit.ly/fwf-2023-leslie Matt Tiller and Richard Amofa look at the life and career of Pilgrims legend Jack Leslie, the first Black man to receive an England call-up. THU 2 NOVEMBER, 7PM The Transfer Market bit.ly/fwf-2023-transfer David Ornstein, Sam Lee, Harriet Prior and Shamoon Hafez discuss the various machinations of the modern transfer market. FRI 3 NOVEMBER, 7PM Soft Power in Football bit.ly/fwf-2023-power Carl Anka, Adam Crafton, Sanny Rudravajhala, Molly Blackall and Simon Stone talk, about soft power in football and the wider geopolitical implications of "sportswashing". SUN 5 NOVEMBER, 11:30AM Children's Football Writing Festival bit.ly/cfwf-2023 The Dream Team author Priscilla Mante drops in to host a fun workshop in the Pitch Gallery, helping to develop creative and literacy skills. MON 6 NOVEMBER, 12PM The Three Hijabis bit.ly/fwf-2023-hijabis Project co-founder Amna Abdullatif talks about the anti-racism movement and the importance of inclusion within the England squad, setup and fanbase. MON 6 NOVEMBER, 3PM Football's Great War bit.ly/fwf-2023-war Our very own Dr Alexander Jackson discusses his award-winning book, exploring football's important role during the First World War. FRI 10 NOVEMBER, 1PM Ukraine: We Play On bit.ly/fwf-2023-ukraine Award-winning journalist Maria Romanenko and European football correspondent Andy Brassell talk about Ukraine's fight for football and freedom. SAT 18 NOVEMBER, 11AM Two Girls Talk Balls Live! bit.ly/fwf-2023-tgtb On derby day weekend, join Tamsin and Charlotte from the popular women's football podcast as they talk all things WSL and beyond. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Breakout Stars of the Women's World Cup Journalist Charlie Brinkurst-Cuff looks back at the summer tournament, considering the key moments and issues
1872 🤝 2023 England football team's warm-up shirt this evening is based on the 1872 original. Our shirt, worn by Arnold Kirke Smith at Hamilton Crescent, is 151 years young, but still looking fresh on the Match Gallery (possibly because Arnold only wore it the once). The special edition warm-up shirts will be available for auction, with proceeds going to a very important cause in Alzheimer's Society: https://www.uk.givergy.com/ASshirtauction #England #Scotland #Alzheimers #AlzheimersSociety
Training for WEURO 2025 starts now. 💪 Can you sharpen up your passing and shooting skills without touching a ball? Strap on our Rezzil VR technology and find out! #BatteriesNotIncluded
The English Subbuteo Association will be with us for the next three Sundays on the bounce, getting in plenty of practice ahead of next year's Subbuteo World Cup! Learn a thing or two from the masters at our Batteries Not Included drop-in sessions, running from 10:30am to 3:30pm: https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/subbuteo-masterclass-2/
Not a ball in sight. 👀 Train like a pro using the latest virtual reality technology, courtesy of Rezzil. Pop on the headset and the foot sensors, then hone your skills with a number of drills, designed to help improve your passing, volleying and shooting. This VR activity is featured in our Batteries Not Included exhibition. Head up to the Score Gallery to start your training!
Beckham 🤝 Beth! Lionesses and Arsenal star Beth Mead has become the first female player to get the minifigure treatment, courtesy of McDonald's UK. Best of all, it's part of our new Batteries Not Included exhibition! See our full chat with Beth here: youtube.com/watch?v=vUXBoRXaYu4
Come and play on the Score Gallery from tomorrow! #batteriesnotincluded nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/batteries-not-included
Yesterday, we kicked off our summer of Women's World Cup action with a very special Counter Pressed live show. 🎙 We've got a host of talks and activities lined up across the school holidays - check out the full fixture list here:onalfootballmuseum.com/news/womens-world-cup-2023
BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED 🔋 Join us from Wednesday 12 July for a hands-on history of football toys and games, from the Victorians to virtual reality... nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/batteries-not-included
Heading into the last weekend of From Moss Side to Marseille. 😢 We talked to exhibition artist and co-curator Michael Browne about his influences, the political messages that drive his work, and sport's position within society. Learn more from Michael below, or join him for a special gallery tour this Saturday and Sunday at 1pm: nationalfootballmuseum.com/whatson/mstm-michael-browne
