The Atherstone Ball Game is a medieval football game played annually in the English town of Atherstone. In 2021, the game was cancelled for the first time in its 821‑year history due Covid, but has since started up again.
The two-hour game is played in the town's main street and sees groups of players compete for possession of a giant ball that is specially made for the occasion.
The game itself has few rules, two being that play is restricted to the main street and participants are not allowed to kill anyone. The game starts at 3:00 PM. The winner is declared at 5.00pm, the title going to the person who has possession of the ball when the whistle sounds.
Video of this year's contest. The action ramps up around the 4 minute mark.
The two-hour game is played in the town's main street and sees groups of players compete for possession of a giant ball that is specially made for the occasion.
The game itself has few rules, two being that play is restricted to the main street and participants are not allowed to kill anyone. The game starts at 3:00 PM. The winner is declared at 5.00pm, the title going to the person who has possession of the ball when the whistle sounds.
Video of this year's contest. The action ramps up around the 4 minute mark.
