Sheffield is today home to a new world record after generous fans backed a bid to create the longest multi-club football scarf. A 186-metre-long chain of 130 scarves representing clubs around the world was carried through Sheffield city centre recently. The achievement was part of the project Around The World, run by the arts charity Stand & Be Counted Theatre.
Football Meets Digital Art
The football meets digital art project has recently been touring the local area on a yellow bus. It concluded with a stunning projection next to Sheffield Town Hall on Wednesday night, as England triumphed over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The previous world record for the longest chain of multi-club sports scarves dates back to 2024. That previous chain was more than 100 metres long and was created to mark the launch of Kellogg’s Football Camps.
Celebrating Solidarity and Peace
John Tomlinson, from Stand & Be Counted Theatre, said: “With Around The World, we wanted to celebrate the World Cup, be super international about it and break a world record for good measure.” “Sheffield is the home of football, and we are thrilled it is now home to a new football world record as well.” The message behind the project is one of solidarity and peace during both the world’s biggest football tournament and Refugee Week. Stand & Be Counted Theatre is the first theatre company of sanctuary in the UK. The charity works closely with people of all ages who are seeking sanctuary. They have previously produced many football-related projects, from creating a football song with Sheffield FC to designing football shirts.
Bringing People Together Through Art
Event producer Muetesim Ahmed said: “Football is a huge thing for us, so Around The World is a good way to bring people together during the World Cup.” “Art is the best way to promote harmony, creativity and solidarity.” A full public programme of events ran at the Peace Gardens on Wednesday to celebrate. The line-up included a variety of talks, podcasts, a quiz, a wellbeing warm-up, and football sticker activities. Visitors also took part in badge-making and shirt activities. The yellow school bus featured exciting augmented reality elements to discover, including an augmented-reality football shirt.
Projection and Collaborations
Art created by Sheffielders during the project was beamed next to Sheffield Town Hall to finish the celebrations. Around The World is also organised in collaboration with Yellow Bus Events, Sheffield Home of Football and Football Unites Racism Divides. The project is supported by Counterpoints Arts. It is part of Sheffield’s Migration Matters Festival, which runs from this Friday, June 19, until June 27. You can find out more about the charity and their work at www.sbctheatre.co.uk Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
