The Green Football Weekend kicks off with a Veggie Cook-Off on the Wembley steps, organized by celebrities as part of their campaign.

Former England international Joe Cole and Forest Green Rovers chair Dale Vince will today go head-to-head with former Wales international Robbie Savage and chef Levi Roots in a ‘Ready Veggie Cook-off’ challenge on the steps of Wembley Stadium. This event marks the beginning of the Green Football Weekend campaign.

The teams, hosted by presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, will create recipes from the new Green Football Weekend Veggie Cookbook, which will then be taste-tested by local school children. Over 70 football players, pundits, celebrity chefs, club nutritionists, and football-loving personalities have contributed their favorite veggie recipes to this free online cookbook.

The launch of the Green Football Weekend also signifies the start of the Green Football Cup, where fans can score goals to help their club succeed by taking green actions. The cookbook features a wide range of delicious veggie options, including Raheem Sterling’s cauliflower, potato, and spinach curry, Amy Turner’s roasted red pepper soup, and Jen Beattie’s Thai Green Tofu Curry.

Renowned football-loving chefs such as Michel Roux Jr and Ainsley Harriot will also be sharing their go-to recipes. This campaign, which culminates in the Green Football Weekend from 2-5th February, aims to mobilize fans, clubs, leagues, and partners to take action on climate change. The focus is on the power of vegetables to protect our planet, encouraging fans to try cooking a veggie meal and working with clubs and caterers to provide delicious veggie and plant-based food for matchday fans.

Green Football Weekend Ambassador Gary Lineker expressed his pride in kickstarting the second year of the campaign, emphasizing the unifying power of football in taking action. Mathieu Flamini, another ambassador, highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle and its impact on the planet. He stated that if UK football fans had one veggie meal a day, it could have the equivalent impact of removing 5.5 million cars from the road each year.

Jen Beattie, player for Arsenal WFC and contributor to the cookbook, shared her favorite recipe, the Thai Green Curry, which she finds perfect after a tough training session. By trying a recipe from the cookbook, fans can register a goal for their club in the Green Football Cup. Other goal-scoring activities include choosing discounted ‘yellow-sticker’ food, using the AI-recipe generator, switching to a green energy provider, and opting for sustainable transportation.

The future of football is at risk due to climate change, with pitch flooding already causing the cancellation of 150,000 games per year. By 2050, a quarter of UK football grounds are expected to be flooded, with one in four teams facing partial or total stadium flooding annually.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, emphasized the cultural force of football and its potential to drive environmental change. He cited the example of Forest Green Rovers, where fans have embraced the green agenda of the club. Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, ambassadors for Green Football Weekend, expressed their pride in using football as a platform to discuss climate change and promote eco-conscious food choices.

During the Green Football Weekend, clubs will showcase their sustainability efforts, engage fans in the issue, and announce new commitments. Broadcasters Sky Sports and TNT Sports will also provide original content for the event.

Sarah Jacobs, Green Football Weekend Director, highlighted the power of fan action and the campaign’s aim to inspire change and improve lives. Gary Hughes, Director of Football at Sky Sports, expressed their commitment to protecting the sports fans love and ensuring there is always a place to play. Scott Young, Group SVP, Content, Production, and Business Operations at WBD Sports Europe, stated that TNT Sports is proud to support Green Football Weekend and emphasized the role football plays in tackling climate change.

Green Football Weekend is powered by Ecotricity and supported by various organizations, including Devils Kitchen, Ministry of Eco-Education, Little Green Devils, Forest Green Rovers, and FGR Community, BOSH!, exceptional, the Gusto Group, the EFL, WSL, the PFA, and the FA.