Atherstone Ball Game in 2023: Dates, timings, regulations, key details

Atherstone Ball Game will take place for the 823rd time this year. The game has origins in medieval custom that go all the way back to King John's time in power.

What is Atherstone Ball Game?

The Atherstone Ball Game, an annual event in the Warwickshire town of Atherstone, is essentially a game of medieval football. Every year on Shrove Tuesday, which can fall between February 2 and March 9, it is customary to play this game.


Long Street, Atherstone's major thoroughfare, serves as the action's hub. Each Shrove Tuesday at 3pm, a famous person—usually one with links to the area—throws a huge ball from the second floor balcony of "the Connie," the town's Conservative Club.

Two hours later, at 5 pm, the whistle signals the end of the Atherstone Ball Game. Whoever holds control of the ball when the whistle is blown is the winner of the game.

When did the first Atherstone Ball Game take place?

Every year, the Atherstone Ball Game is played to commemorate a medieval football match between Leicestershire and Warwickshire that took place in 1199. A bag of gold was utilized as the ball between the two teams, and Warwickshire won that game.

What are the Atherstone Ball Game rules?

Just keeping possession of the ball is the goal of the Atherstone Ball Game. One of the game's few restrictions is that it can only be played on Long Street and that players are not allowed to murder other players.

Unsurprisingly, fights between spectators at the Atherstone Ball Game have occasionally turned violent. After the 2019 game, newspaper stories stated that a man's ear had been severed in the commotion, despite the fact that police and emergency physicians said no such injuries had occurred.


When is the Atherstone Ball Game in 2023?

On February 21, 2023, the Atherstone Ball Game will be played (Shrove Tuesday). According to local custom, the game should start at 3pm, with the whistle being blown and the winner being announced at 5pm.

FAQs:

1. Who won the Atherstone Ball Game 2022?
   Josh Sheldon.
2. Where is the Atherstone Ball Game?
   At Long Street, Atherstone, The Atherstone Ball Game is played.