England Hockey launches the KETTLE ® EuroHockey EuroChamps27 Social Impact Plan, setting out how the event will be used to positively change people’s lives through hockey, tackle inequality and inactivity, and create more opportunities for confidence, connection and belonging.

The KETTLE ® EuroChamps27 will take place in London from 28 July to 8 August 2027, bringing together Europe’s leading men’s, women’s and Hockey ID teams for a major celebration of the sport.

The Social Impact Plan, which is supported by, EuroHockey, UK Sport, GLA and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, is designed to ensure the tournament’s legacy reaches beyond the event itself, using the visibility, energy and inspiration of KETTLE ® EuroChamps27 to open up hockey to more people and communities.

At the heart of the plan is a clear ambition: to make hockey more accessible, inclusive and relevant for people who currently face barriers to participation. The programme will focus on people from low-income households, ethnically diverse communities, and disabled people or people living with long-term health conditions, supporting activity that helps people feel active, welcomed and part of something bigger.

The plan will bring together major-event inspiration with practical community delivery, creating more opportunities for people to experience hockey in settings that feel local, trusted and welcoming. It will support activity that builds confidence, improves wellbeing, strengthens social connection and helps communities see hockey as a sport for them. The programme will also encourage people to return to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre to continue their hockey journey.

Rather than waiting for a post-event legacy programme, activity is already beginning across England, ensuring the benefits of KETTLE ® EuroChamps27 are felt long before the first match is played and continue long after the tournament ends.

To deliver this ambition, England Hockey is working with a growing network of delivery partners, including Access Sport, StreetGames, the Youth Sport Trust and the Harlequins Foundation and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, with further partners to be announced as they come onboard.   

The Eight Areas within England Hockey will also be supporting clubs and organisations to deliver community hockey locally via a new nationwide funding programme called “Hockey Futures Together”.

Each partner will bring specialist expertise, trusted community relationships and delivery experience to help the Social Impact Plan reach the people and places where it can make the greatest difference.

From now until August 2027, England Hockey and its partners will tell the stories of the people, families, volunteers, clubs and community organisations involved in the programme. These stories will show the impact being made, from first experiences of hockey to longer-term changes in confidence, activity levels, wellbeing and belonging.

Keith Carder, England Hockey Sport Director and Chair of the Social Impact group, said: “The KETTLE ® EuroChamps27 is a fantastic opportunity to showcase hockey at its best, but its true success will be measured by the difference it makes beyond the tournament.

“Our Social Impact Plan is about using this major event to reach more people, remove barriers and show that hockey can help build confidence, connection and belonging. By working with expert delivery partners, we can turn ambition into lasting impact in communities across the country.”

Mark Lawrie OBE, StreetGames CEO: “At StreetGames, we know that talent, potential and aspiration are evenly distributed, but access to sport is not. Too many young people from low-income and underserved communities miss out on the opportunities sport can provide. That’s why our partnership with England Hockey is focused on breaking down barriers and widening access, working alongside trusted community organisations that know their young people best and help bring sport to their doorstep.”

“Guided by our National Governing Body Partnership Framework, we’re committed to creating opportunities that are inclusive, relevant and sustainable. By combining England Hockey’s ambition with StreetGames’ deep understanding of the communities we serve and the expertise of our Community Partner network, we can reach young people who are too often left behind. Crucially, we’re listening to young people’s voices and using their insight to shape the experiences we create. Through this partnership, more young people can discover a love of hockey and sport, while developing the confidence, connections and life skills that help them thrive beyond the game.”

Helen Rowbotham, Access Sport Chief Executive, said: “The KETTLE ® EuroChamps social impact plan offers an exciting opportunity to accelerate the growth of Flyerz hockey, the disability hockey programme that Access Sport deliver in partnership with England Hockey. Over the coming months, we will support new clubs in each region to establish and launch their own disability-inclusive Flyerz activities, providing them with the tools and resources they need to become truly inclusive of all young people. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Social Impact Plan will continue to develop as more delivery partners join and local activity expands. Further announcements, partner stories and impact updates will be shared across England Hockey, KETTLE ® EuroChamps27 and partner channels in the months ahead.