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FOR THE TEAM WE ALL SUPPORT
Next Tournament
Britain’s first national 5-a-side football tournament exclusively for NHS staff.
Open to mixed teams from NHS Trusts, departments and affiliated organisations.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just fancy a fun day out with your colleagues, gather your squad and join us in London for kick off this September!
Founded and self-funded by paramedics Tom and Matt, the Cup started life as a league for the London Ambulance Service.
Interest quickly grew beyond the ambulance service, and with NHS teams across the country seeking competitive play, the Health Workers Cup was born; a national event that unites the healthcare profession once a year around the nation’s favourite sport.
Honouring the dedication, teamwork, and community spirit of Britain’s healthcare heroes.
sponsorship
There is no Health Workers Cup without our heroic sponsors. They are the fuel that sustains and grows the cup year on year.
Aligning your business or brand with the NHS offers exposure to a trusted and engaged audience, and also directly contributes to the wellbeing and community spirit of frontline NHS staff.
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Who is the Health Workers Cup for?The tournament is open to all NHS staff — clinical, non-clinical, frontline, support, and everything in between. Whether you work in a hospital, GP surgery, ambulance service, mental health trust or NHS admin team, you’re welcome to play.
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Can our team include agency staff or students?Not at this time. To keep things fair and consistent, only directly employed NHS staff are eligible to play. We hope to expand eligibility in future tournaments.
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Can I enter more than one team from my organisation?Yes — trusts, departments, and services are welcome to enter more than one team if space allows. Make sure each team has a separate lead contact.
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Do players need to work in the same department or trust?No — teams can be made up of NHS staff from different departments or sites, as long as all players are directly employed by the NHS.
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Does every player need to register?No — just one person needs to register on behalf of the team. We’ll follow up with you for the squad details later.
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How do I register my team?Visit [www.healthworkerscup.com] and fill in the team registration form — it takes less than a minute.
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How is the tournament structured?Each event begins with a league stage (similar to UEFA formats), followed by a knockout phase for the top teams. Every team is guaranteed at least 60 minutes of match play.
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How many teams will be at each tournament?Each regional event will host between 16 and 32 teams, depending on demand and pitch capacity.
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How do teams qualify for the national final?The winning team — and in some cases the runner-up — from each regional tournament will be invited to the National Final in 2026. More details will be announced in due course.
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Is the tournament mixed gender?Yes — this is an inclusive, mixed-gender tournament. Everyone plays together, and we welcome diverse teams from across the NHS.
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How many players can we bring?Each team can register up to 8 players. Matches are five-a-side.
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Is there a trophy or prize for the winners?Yes — regional winners receive a trophy and will go through to the National Final. We also award Player and Goalkeeper of the Tournament at each event.
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Will matches be refereed?Yes — all games will have qualified referees to ensure fair play and safety.
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What time does the tournament start and finish?Full schedules will be shared ahead of each event, but most tournaments will run for around 3-4 hours, typically from late morning into the afternoon.
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Will food or refreshments be available?We’re working with each venue to provide access to food and drink options. You’re also welcome to bring your own. We’ll update players with venue-specific info.
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Will there be medical staff on site?Yes — each event will have first aid support in line with venue safety policies.
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Where and when are the tournaments taking place?The Health Workers Cup is expanding across five UK regions: London (September 2025, The Hive) Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. Exact dates and venues will be confirmed soon — follow us on Instagram for the latest updates.
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Why haven’t all the dates been announced yet?Originally, the Cup was planned as a single tournament — but demand has been so high that we’re now hosting regional heats. We’re working with venues to finalise dates and will share them as soon as possible.
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Can friends or family come and watch?Yes, spectators are welcome — but space may be limited depending on the venue. We’ll update you closer to the tournament with full guidance.
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Will there be changing facilities?Yes, all venues will have access to toilets and changing areas, but facilities may vary slightly by location. Check our Instagram for specific details nearer the time.
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Will photos or videos be taken?Yes — photos and video highlights will be captured on the day to help share the spirit of the Cup. We’ll ask team leads to confirm consent ahead of time.
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Can we use the Health Workers Cup logo?Yes — approved teams can use the logo for internal comms or promotion (e.g. posters in staff rooms). Just drop us a message to request a copy.