…and interest in the women’s game continues to soar
As momentum builds around the new Women’s Super League (WSL) season, Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls and McDonald’s Fun Football are entering the next phase of their partnership to give thousands more girls the chance to play football for free.
Between 6 September until 14th December**, all Girlguiding members aged 5 to 11 across the UK will be offered fun, friendly, and accessible football sessions with FA qualified coaches. In the true spirit of Girlguiding, Brownies will now also be able to commemorate their participation with a special co-designed Fun Football badge.
The launch of the new badge marks an exciting new chapter in the partnership, building on the success of the programme to date and responding to record levels of interest in the women’s game following the Lionesses winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
The partnership also responds to new research revealing that a third of parents (32%) feel the cost of sessions is the main barrier to their daughters playing football. Almost half (43%) said that free or subsidised sessions would most improve participation. McDonald’s Fun Football provides the perfect solution, offering always-free sessions across the UK to break down financial barriers and ensure every child has the chance to play.
This Autumn wave of Fun Football sessions is expected to introduce more than 10,000 Girlguiding members to the sport, some who might be experiencing football for the very first time.
Yesterday, Brownies joined Fun Football ambassadors Beth Mead and Lauren James to try out one of the free sessions in Hillingdon. Brownie, Aged 8 said: “I’ve done Fun Football for two years and it helped me get into a team. Football is a fun way to exercise. It was super exciting meeting Lauren and Beth because I had watched them in the Euros.” Brownie, Aged 7, added: I had a really good time at Fun Football! It was so much fun and I loved meeting Beth and Lauren. I really like doing things with Brownies like this.”
Fun Football ambassador & double EUROs-winning Lioness Lauren James said: “It’s brilliant to see free football sessions being made available for young girls across the country. Initiatives like this really help parents by making the game more accessible, while also giving children a fun and supportive environment to enjoy football. Partnerships like McDonald’s and Girlguiding show just how much can be done to open up opportunities for girls to try something new and build confidence through sport.”
Andrew Moys, McDonald’s Vice President Impact, said: “McDonald’s has been supporting grassroots football for over 20 years, and Fun Football is now the UK’s largest free football initiative. By joining forces with Girlguiding this season, we’re opening the door for thousands more girls to discover the game in a fun and inclusive environment. Together, we’re breaking down barriers to participation and helping to inspire the next generation to find confidence and joy through football.”
Girls in Girlguiding are up to 28% more confident than girls in the UK on average. Girlguiding provides a space for over 300,000 girls and young women across the UK to have fun and try new things without judgement or the many pressures girls face in today’s world from everyday sexism, online pressures and social anxieties.
Sign-up for free local sessions near you at mcdonalds.co.uk/football. Girlguiding participants to select the network from the “How did you hear about us?” section of the form.
Image: Brownies joined Fun Football ambassadors, Beth Mead and Lauren James in Hillingdon, to launch the new McDonald’s Fun Football Girlguiding badge.
