The Football Art Prize celebrates what is arguably the world’s most popular sport.

Representing all aspects of the beautiful game, the Prize has drawn submissions from across the globe. The works by the 50 shortlisted artists span scenes of glory, defeat, loyalty and passion – from wintry night matches and foggy fields, to moving depictions of the personal connections we make with the pitch and those who play on it.

The exhibition brings together a wide range of painting, photography, film and collage. Whether they’re showing the muddy grit of grassroots clubs or the riches and hero worship of the sport at its height, the works on display demonstrate how football has come to reflect the entirety of the human experience.

The Football Art Prize coincides with the 2022 FIFA World Cup year and UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, played in Sheffield and across Britain this summer.

This touring exhibition launched at Touchstones Rochdale in partnership with Parker Harris and was created with generous support from Arts Council England.

The exhibition will tour to Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens from November 2022.

Billy - Simply Marcus © the artist 

Sue Spaull, Hat Trick © the artist 

Georgia Hayes - Playing The Game © the artist 

Christopher Campbell - Deflated and useless © the artist