The violence erupted throughout an area custom that has been held yearly for over 800 years.
Atherstone: Annual Shrove Tuesday ball sport kicks off
A historic custom turned violent as hundreds of individuals battled it out on the streets of a UK city this week. The annual Atherstone ball sport, held on Shrove Tuesday, sees crowds within the Warwickshire city combat to realize possession of a specially-made leather-based ball, wih chaotic scenes ensuing.
Atherstone shuts down annually to facilitate the 800-year-old sport, with outlets and companies boarding up their home windows in anticipation of the mayhem. This week’s occasion, held on Tuesday, February 17, marked the 826th celebration, which lasts two hours and sees whichever crew is in possession of the ball by 5pm emerge triumphant.
Footage of congested Lengthy Avenue on Tuesday confirmed the ball sport erupting right into a punch-up as contributors clambered over one another and turned to violence of their desperation to be named reigning champion.
Atherstone Ball Sport 2026 takes place in Warwickshire. The normal medieval sport has been performed for over 800 years. #Atherstone pic.twitter.com/DmYlMCD0k8
— City Photos (@Urban_Pictures) February 18, 2026
This week marked the 826th annual Atherstone ball sport (Picture: PA) The day’s greatest headlines in UK and World information Subscribe Invalid e mail
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The ball sport has continued in honour of a medieval soccer match between Leicestershire and Warwickshire held in 1199, which the latter received and when the groups used a bag of gold as a ball.
Warwickshire Police issued a warning about hassle earlier than the sport kicked off on Tuesday afternoon.
An announcement learn: “We’re working carefully with organisers and the neighborhood to maintain attendees and companies alongside Lengthy Avenue protected whereas this historic cultural occasion takes place.
“Our mixed efforts with companions and … the neighborhood have led to very optimistic leads to the previous couple of years.
“We’ll proceed to make sure that anybody who makes an attempt to make use of the sport as an excuse for felony violence or vandalism might be held to account.
“Thanks to the area people and the organisers for serving to us within the policing of Atherstone ball sport this yr.”
No arrests have been reported from the sport, which noticed James Bernard and Kieran Marshal topped joint victors.
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