Football might call itself the beautiful game, but for many LGBTQ+ players, it hasn’t always felt that welcoming. That’s exactly what the West London Queer Project is working to change.
On Saturday 28 March, WLQP returns to Grasshoppers RFC in Isleworth with the third annual Festival of Football ‘26, a one-day community tournament that’s fast becoming one of the UK’s biggest inclusive football events.
Running from 10am to 5pm, the festival brings together teams from across supporter groups, the Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN), the NHS, the Metropolitan Police, and local businesses. It’s all happening as part of Football v Transphobia Week of Action, using the sport’s biggest stage, the pitch, to challenge discrimination and celebrate inclusion.
And this isn’t just symbolic. The tournament structure itself is designed to make space for everyone.
Alongside the Open/Mixed 6-a-side competition, the festival also features a dedicated FLINTA* division, welcoming Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, and Agender players. It’s about representation, participation, and visibility in a sport where those groups have often been pushed to the sidelines.
The event is organised by the West London Queer Project, with backing from PI Partnership Group and support from some serious football allies, including Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Chelsea Pride, and QPR in the Community Trust.
But the Festival of Football isn’t just about the scoreline.
The day aims to shine a light on the challenges LGBTQ+ people still face in sport, particularly the ongoing exclusion and marginalisation of trans players. By bringing together clubs, fan networks, community groups, and workplaces, WLQP hopes to show what football looks like when it genuinely opens its doors.
And if you fancy getting involved beyond the sidelines, the project runs weekly LGBTQ+ football skills sessions every Monday, rotating between Chiswick and White City. They’re free, open to everyone, and supported by Brentford Community Sports Trust, QPR in the Community Trust, the Brentford LGBeeTs, and Chelsea Pride.
For now, though, the spotlight is firmly on Saturday 28 March, when Isleworth turns into a celebration of queer sport, teamwork, and community.
So grab a coffee, find a patch of grass on the sidelines, and cheer on the teams.
Football’s better when everyone gets to play.
Festival of Football ‘26
📍 Grasshoppers RFC, Isleworth
📅 Saturday 28 March
⏰ 10:00 – 17:00
🌐 More info: www.wlqp.org
