McDonald’s New Fun Football Partnership With Bradford City

Something pretty cool is happening over in Bradford. The local football club, Bradford City AFC, has teamed up with a massive name everyone knows – McDonald’s. They’ve announced a big new partnership, which is basically them agreeing to work together on something special. And this isn't about burgers and chips; it's all about football and bringing it to as many kids as possible in the local communities. The collaboration will see the massive fast-food franchise support the club’s fantastic charity, the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, to roll out a programme designed to get young people active and having fun with the beautiful game.

A brilliant new partnership for Bradford

It’s always exciting when a local club gets a boost, and this news is massive for Bradford City AFC. By making McDonald’s a principal partner, the club is getting some serious backing. Think of a 'principal partner' as a main sponsor, someone who provides a lot of support to help the club do great things, not just on the pitch but out in the city, too. In this case, the focus is on community and making a real difference for children and their families.

This partnership isn't just a logo on a shirt. It’s a genuine commitment from both sides to nurture a love for football in Bradford. The aim is to make the sport more inclusive, meaning everyone feels welcome to join in, and accessible, which means making it easy for everyone to have a go, no matter their background or ability. This is all about breaking down barriers and letting kids just enjoy playing football. This initiative shows a real commitment to the young people of the city.

More than just a game: what is the Fun Football programme?

So, what does this actually mean for kids in the area? The main event is the ‘Fun Football’ programme. It’s a nationwide scheme run by McDonald’s to provide free, fun football coaching sessions for children. The idea is to give them a great introduction to the sport in a friendly, pressure-free environment. It’s not about finding the next superstar, but about building confidence, making friends, and learning to love being active.

This programme is a perfect example of grassroots support. 'Grassroots' just means the most basic level of a sport—think of kids kicking a ball about in the park. By providing this kind of support, the partnership is helping to build a strong foundation for the future of football in Bradford. The sessions are designed to be fun and engaging, making sure that young people have a positive experience with the beautiful game. The Bradford City FC Community Foundation, the club’s official charity, will be the ones delivering these fantastic sessions across the city throughout November.

• Goal: To promote football across the Bradford district.
• Focus: Making the sport inclusive and accessible for all children.
• Who's involved: McDonald’s, Bradford City AFC, and the Bradford City FC Community Foundation.
• What's happening: Fun Football sessions are running through November for local young people and their families.

Kicking things off at the University of Bradford Stadium

To launch this brilliant partnership, things got started with a bang. A massive ‘Fun Football Festival’ was held right on the pitch at the University of Bradford Stadium. Imagine that! Kids from all over the area got the chance to play on the same turf as their heroes. Events like this are what make these collaborations so special. It creates amazing memories for children and shows a real commitment from everyone involved to make a difference in the local communities.

The festival was a huge success and set the tone for the sessions that are now being rolled out. It brought together families, fans, and the community to celebrate this new chapter. It’s clear that both the club and the fast-food franchise are serious about this. Bradford City’s general manager, Davide Longo, was really pleased with how it all went.

He said: “We are incredibly proud to have hosted the McDonald’s ‘Fun Football Festival’ at the University of Bradford Stadium, working alongside Bradford City Community Foundation to make football accessible to all children in our city. The commitment from McDonald’s to deliver these football festivals is vital to ensuring the passion for our game is passed down to the next generation.”

What the top brass have to say

It's not just the fans and kids who are excited. The people in charge are buzzing about what this partnership can achieve. Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, the chief operating officer at the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, is at the heart of making this happen. Her team sees every day how much sport can help young people.

She added:

“Here at the Foundation, we are delighted to be delivering these ‘Fun Football’ sessions across Bradford. Our dedicated team of coaches witness firsthand the power sport can have in making a positive impact in the lives of young people, and this partnership enables us to continue that work. We all had a terrific time at the ‘Fun Football Festival’, and cannot wait to carry the momentum across our sessions. We would like to thank McDonald’s ‘Fun Football’ for supporting our commitment to providing enjoyable and accessible activities for young people in our city.”

The support also comes from the local McDonald’s franchisees. A 'franchisee' is a local businessperson who owns and runs their own McDonald’s restaurant. Jamie Barraclough, one of the local franchisees, shared his excitement about the project and the positive feeling around the club.

He added:

“We are thrilled to partner with Bradford City AFC on this brilliant initiative. There is a real buzz around the club as the team and fans celebrate being back in League One, and we are excited to join the journey. Football sits at the heart of so many communities—it brings people together, inspires confidence, and improves wellbeing. Through this partnership, we are proud to help deliver grassroots support which ensures more children, families, and neighbourhoods can enjoy all the benefits of the beautiful game. I would also like to thank my fellow franchisees for their support in getting this over the finish line.”