Vanarama National League Announces Free Tickets For National Lottery Players

In October 2020, the National Lottery provided over £12.5 million to support local and non-league clubs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and has also supported grassroots and community football with £200 million in funding since 1995.

With a halt in the football calendar and no gate revenue there were fears about the future of many clubs. Thankfully National Lottery players stepped in to protect many local football clubs across the UK.

As thanks for the essential support, 231 clubs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are now taking part in The National Lottery Football Weekends.

Each club will, for one home fixture in March or April, run a special ‘Buy One Get One Free’ ticket offer for National Lottery players to get out to watch their local team, perhaps for the first time, and experience the vital role these clubs play as part of their local community.

The campaign will be delivered in partnership with the Vanarama National League, The FA (Football Association), The Scottish FA (Scottish Football Association), FAW (Football Association of Wales) and IFA (Irish Football Association).

The campaign is also backed by well-known ex-footballers Ally McCoist and Karen Carney. In England, the participating Clubs are in the Vanarama National League, Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South.

FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham said: “The National League System is incredibly important to the English pyramid and the positive impact local clubs have on their communities up and down the country is clear to see.

"Volunteers, leagues, clubs and fans have all pulled together during the pandemic and it will be fantastic to see so many people out supporting their local team across the National Lottery Football Weekends.”

Former Scottish international and National Lottery Football Weekends Ambassador McCoist said: “In nearly every corner of the country you will find a football club which does much more than just kick a ball around on a Saturday afternoon.

"These clubs make a difference to so many in their community and they suffered perhaps more than any other part of our game during the pandemic.

"The support of National Lottery players has been crucial in helping them survive and now you can support them again, but this time from the terraces.”

We hope to see as many fans as possible take part in The National Lottery Football Weekends and see how amazing local football is.

To find out more about The National Lottery Football Weekends and to find your nearest match visit www.thenationallotteryfootballweekends.co.uk.

Each club will be responsible for distributing tickets for its home match and details on how to claim will be available from each club. Terms and conditions apply.