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The Premier League have just launched Premier League With Pride which aims to strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion in football. It's part of LGBT+ History Month,
the annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, which includes the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements.
February 2026 is the 22nd UK LGBT+ History Month and it highlights the incredible things LGBT+ people in all our diversity have achieved throughout history, in all areas of life, including sport. |
| Premier League With Pride is being launched to coincide with LGBT+ History Month with its focus on young people and school education in the UK. It's part of the Premier League's commitment to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community in football and promote equality, diversity and inclusion. | 
Premier League with Pride Logo Copyright: Premier League |
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The Premier League provides grants to clubs so they can deliver education sessions targetting LGBTQ+ inclusion by providing resources and programmes
across local schools, community settings and Academies. Premier League With Pride replaces the Rainbow Laces campaign run in previous seasons.
They want to provide support to clubs in ways that are consistent, meaningful and tailored to their communities, making sure that social inclusion activity extends beyond matchdays. Education is seen as the primary tool for long-term change. The League invests in education because attitudes are shaped early and understanding leads to more inclusive and respectful behaviour. Education continues into the Academy system, where players from Under-9s to Under-21s receive age-appropriate learning on identity and inclusion, supported by mandatory equality, diversity and inclusion training. Year-round LGBTQ+ training is offered to club staff, alongside webinars exploring the intersections of faith, culture and sexuality. One initiative, Premier League Primary Stars, reaches more than 19,000 schools, 70,000 teachers and offers over 650 resources. A survey showed that 89 per cent of teachers agreed it helps improve pupils’ knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion. | |
Premier League Trophy Photo: Espandero CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons |
The Premier League also has a collaboration with Switchboard to provide fans, staff, players and the wider public with access to their free, confidential
LGBTQ+ listening service, promoted across League and club channels. It ensures anyone who needs support can speak to trained volunteers who offer
non-judgemental information and a safe space to talk, which can be particularly helpful for individuals who are questioning or struggling with
their sexuality or who may have been subjected to discrimination or harassment.
To find out more about Switchboard’s service and how to contact them go to their website: switchboard.lgbt. You can call Switchboard free of charge on 08000 119 100, from 10:00-22:00, every day of the year, email them at hello@switchboard.lgbt or use their website's chat service. |
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During February 2026 one week of Premier League matches will be dedicated to Premier League With Pride, with matchday inventory provided
to all clubs in line with other Premier League-led initiatives such as No Room For Racism and More Than A Game.
The matchday inventory will include:
The Premier League provides a dedicated reporting system, specialist guidance and direct support for those targeted by online abuse. The League works with clubs to identify, investigate and remove discriminatory abuse, including monitoring online platforms, reporting incidents to the relevant companies and taking action where appropriate. It also offers advice and support to anyone within the game who has experienced abuse. Supporters who witness or experience abuse either inside or outside the ground should report it straight away to a steward or police officer, or use their club’s matchday text reporting service. Abuse that occurs away from the stadium, while travelling or online can also be reported, including through Kick It Out’s reporting channels, British Transport Police or directly to the Premier League if it involves online abuse towards players, managers, coaches, match officials or their families. Full guidance on how you can report discrimination is available at: premierleague.com/reportdiscrimination.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "Premier League With Pride demonstrates our ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community, and our commitment to ensuring that football is for everyone and inclusivity is embedded across all areas of the game. I am pleased that progress has been made in recent years and we will maintain our work with clubs to ensure this continues. This includes taking action against discrimination both in stadiums and online, as well as celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone involved in football to feel welcome, supported and comfortable being themselves. Education is important to help people develop a stronger understanding of LGBTQ+ inclusion and the importance of showing support, challenging inequality and making the case for greater representation." | |
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The Premier League continues to offer year-round LGBTQ+ training with dedicated sessions, workshops and resources designed to build understanding,
confidence and inclusive practice for players, parents and club staff. For Academy and first-team player care staff there are webinars to talk through
complex interactions around faith, culture, sexuality, acceptance and tolerance in a respectful and safe environment.
Former Premier League player Thomas Hitzlsperger conducted a Q&A at the League’s recent player care annual meeting. This included a discussion on how player care staff can be trusted allies to players. Clubs are also required to deliver mandatory equality, diversity and inclusion training for staff and players. |
Thomas Hitzlsperger - Photo: Egghead06 CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons |
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All Premier League clubs have or are in the process of establishing an official LGBTQ+ supporters’ group. Clear processes are in place to challenge
and sanction discriminatory abuse wherever it occurs and there is a commitment to ensure there is no place for homophobia or transphobia
at football grounds or online.
The Premier League Safety and Security Observer Programme operates at all 380 matches across the season. It enables the League to take a tailored and evidence-based approach to safety, security and service while developing further understanding of key risk issues and priorities at club and League-wide level. This includes all incidents of discrimination. Remember, you can find out how to report any discrimination you experience at: premierleague.com/reportdiscrimination. | |
