CUP26 tournament
In November 2023, after weeks of feverish competition up and down the UK between 49 football clubs, Cambridge United earned a hard fought victory over eight other finalists to become the inaugural CUP26 champions, winning football’s biggest-ever climate tournament as the COP26 climate summit got into full swing.
In a final full of fan action, Cambridge United proved too strong for the other finalists, including Arsenal, Fulham, Spurs and Aston Villa. The final marked the culmination of eight weeks of close competition that saw incredible support from thousands of fans, families and schools who have been completing a series of goal scoring climate actions to help their team rise up the league table and protect the planet.
On hand to present the CUP26 trophy in Glasgow to Cambridge United was ex England player and Tottenham Hotspur legend Ledley King, alongside Allegra Stratton, the Prime Ministers’ Spokesperson to COP26.
Alongside the trophy presentation, a number of other prizes for the CUP26 Tournament were awarded including the Golden Boot for the top-scoring player across the season and the Impact Hero award which went to the individual who made the biggest impact to their emissions reduction across the season.
Cambridge United’s fans also won the Planet League Impact Award for having the greatest impact during CUP26. An area of rainforest the size of 1,000 football pitches in the Democratic Republic of Congo will now be protected on their behalf through a CUP26 donation to the Rainforest Trust UK.
"Football is such an important force in the fight for a more sustainable world. It’s been amazing to see kids, parents and schools coming together to take part in CUP26, supporting their clubs and helping combat climate change. Small, meaningful actions really can make a difference. Huge congratulations to everyone who took part."
Ledley King, Tottenham Hotspur Ambassador
“It has been wonderful to witness how many children, schools and communities have taken green action as part of the CUP26 tournament. They’ve reduced their own carbon footprint and shown they want to see climate action at COP26, which we are working hard to achieve. Football has an incredibly important role in helping to tackle climate change and it’s exciting to see so many clubs mobilising their fans.”
Allegra Stratton, Prime Minister’s spokesperson
MEDIA COVERAGE
CUP26 on BBC One Show
CUP26 on Sky News
CUP26 on Sky News
CUP26 on Sky Sports