LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Coming June to August 2026!
This summer, as the FIFA World Cup kicks off, Hopetown Darlington is blowing the whistle on LET THE GAMES BEGIN! where history, heritage and sporting fun all play on the same team.
The festival programme features a series of unmissable headline moments. Saturday 13 June will be a celebratory day of spectacle and sound, featuring a giant Arthur Wharton puppet, live music and a mini sports day designed for all ages.
Adding even more sporting heritage, two nationally significant trophies will be on display. The Cleveland Cup – one of the oldest football trophies in the region and famously won by Arthur Wharton while playing for Darlington – will be on show all day on Sunday 16 July, on special loan from the North Riding Football Association.
Meanwhile, the Prince Hassan Cup, awarded to Wharton after his record-breaking 100-yard sprint and one of the most prestigious early athletics trophies, will be on display throughout the entire festival. The cup is kindly loaned to us from the Amateur Athletics Association.
The festival will be accompanied by an immersive exhibition and multiple weekly sports sessions throughout the summer holidays.
Exhibition
As World Cup fever grips the nation, step into the Carriage Works and immerse yourself in celebrating one of sport’s true trailblazers at Arthur Wharton: He Changed The World From Here.
Arthur was a record breaker on and off the pitch and was the world’s first professional Black footballer – who played for Darlington - and the fastest man over 100 yards. A true all round athlete, Wharton was breaking records long before the era of global superstars and televised tournaments.
In partnership with the Arthur Wharton Foundation, the exhibition brings Wharton’s story to life and explores four big hitters of Darlington sport: football, cricket, athletics and rugby. From muddy pitches and cinder tracks to packed crowds and growing leagues, discover how professional sport, and Arthur, got out of the starting blocks.
Uncover how railways changed the game, helping teams and supporters travel further, faster and fairer than ever before, turning local matches into national competitions and putting places like Darlington firmly on the sporting map.
GAME ON! Sporting Activities
Across 10 action-packed weeks (including the six week school holidays), Hopetown will be bursting with action thanks to a programme of lively, family friendly sports activities on a Monday to Thursday delivered in partnership with the Darlington Football Foundation and FC Darlington Locomotives. Whether you’re looking to score your first goal, fine tune your technique, or simply have a go, everyone’s welcome. No experience needed, just enthusiasm!
So… while the nation watches the action unfold on screen every evening, we’re inviting you during the daytime to grab your trainers, bring the family, and join us for a summer that’s full of energy, teamwork and plenty of sporting spirit. The festival offers a winning combination - celebrating the past, present and future of sport in Darlington.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN! is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
