**Update: 17 March, 2020. Following UEFA’s announcement today that UEFA EURO 2020 will not take place this summer, coupled with government’s latest advice that led to all grassroots football being suspended for the foreseeable future, THE FA FIVES has been postponed. It's hoped that it can be rescheduled in line with the tournament.**
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A new national five-a-side football festival is aiming to get people from all backgrounds active this summer as part of the UEFA EURO 2020 legacy project.
THE FA FIVES will see events take place at more than 120 locations around the country in May, with successful sides progressing to Regional Festival Finals at the end of the month, ahead of National Finals preceding the start of EURO 2020 in June.
As part of the bidding process to become a host city for EURO 2020, The Football Association (FA) secured a £1 million contribution from government to build a legacy from the tournament.
THE FA FIVES is that legacy and sees us manage the investment to bring free football festivals to under-represented groups around the nation.
A total of 15 different male and female categories will be contested at the festivals, across adult, veteran, disability, youth and walking football to make it the biggest and most inclusive five-a-side football event to date.
“It’s great to be able to mark 100 days until UEFA EURO 2020 with the announcement of THE FA FIVES,” said Patrick Brosnan, our strategic lead for football.
“This marks a big moment for us and gives us the opportunity to promote physical activity through free football in some of the most deprived areas of the country.
“The inclusivity of FA FIVES strongly aligns with our goals as an organisation. The 15 different categories means that it doesn’t matter who you are, there is an opportunity for you to get involved and have fun.”
Venues from the top 20% most deprived areas in the country were encouraged to apply to be a Round One host, with the aim of providing a free activity for their community and the possibility of obtaining further funding from our Small Grants programme.