England's Wild, Centuries-Old Ball Game Returns

Thousands gather in Ashbourne for the chaotic and historic two-day street football tradition.

Royal Shrovetide, a centuries-old ball game played in Ashbourne, England, involves hundreds of players and spans a three-mile area through rivers, streets, and fields.
The game pits two teams, the Up'ards and Down'ards, against each other, determined by their birthplace in relation to the River Henmore.
Minimal rules exist, with the primary objective being to score by hitting a millstone at either end of the town three times with the ball.
The event transforms the quiet town into a lively festival, with shopfronts boarded up and locals celebrating with food, drinks, and colorful decorations.
Known for its physicality and strategic deception, the game has been a source of pride and tradition for Ashbourne residents for generations.