Royal Shrovetide Football Returns to Ashbourne, Celebrates Centuries-Old Tradition

Royal Shrovetide, a centuries-old mass street football game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, draws thousands each year for two days of chaotic competition resembling a riot. The unique game, played between the 'Up'ards' and 'Down'ards,' requires players to move a ball across a three-mile course, facing minimal rules, with the notable exception of a 'no murder' stipulation. Local resident Natalie Wakefield describes it as 'mad in the best possible way,' while former player Mark Harrison emphasizes the need to be 'hard, aggressive and authoritative' to succeed. The event, held annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, fosters community spirit despite its divisive nature based on players' birthplaces. Harrison, who once carried the then-Prince Charles during the match's opening in 2003, now serves food to fans, reflecting the event's longstanding traditions and local pride. As players scramble through streets and fields, the historical significance of this ritual continues to thrive in modern times.