Premier League season kicks off with launch event in Brighton
The official launch event of the 2023/24 Premier League season took place in Sussex earlier this month.
Every year, the Premier League season is officially set in motion at a launch event – and this year it was decided that the Albion would host the event.
To celebrate, the Premier League trophy was brought down to Sussex. The trophy was shown off on Brighton beach, before moving to the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing.
Participants from our disability football programme were invited down to see the famous trophy in-person, before taking part in a fun football tournament.
The players also got to meet Albion favourites including Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, and Bobby Zamora.
Nick Perchard, Director of Community at the Premier League, spoke about how the Premier League supports communities all over the UK.
“The Premier League has committed £1.6 billion in this 3-year cycle to support the whole football pyramid – in both men’s and women’s football – and the grassroots game, and to support local communities,” he said.
“It’s a fundamental part of this organisation.”
Cyril, who plays for the very successful Brighton & Hove Albion Blind FC, was also invited down to the event.
“What the BHAFC Foundation is doing for disabled people, especially with the blind football, is amazing,” Cyril told us.
“The facilities we have access to, the coaching, it’s all fantastic.”
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, also visited the launch event.
She said: “How brilliant that our club was selected to launch the Premier League this year.
“I’m so proud and so pleased at the report about the huge financial contribution that they are able to make to our city.”