The National Christian Cup is marking more than three decades of football-based evangelism, with organisers celebrating new teams, and continued opportunities to share the Christian faith through sport.
Now in its 33rd year, the competition has continued almost uninterrupted since 1993.The National Christian Trophy was later introduced in 2008. This season, the tournament features 40 teams in total, with 21 competing in the Trophy and 19 in the Cup.
Keith Hammond, head of Christians in Football, told Premier Chrisrtian News the competition remains strong, with encouraging signs of growth.
"This year we’ve got eight new teams, which is great. It’s really good to have new blood coming in.”
Christians in Football's main purpose is to use grassroots sports evangelism to share the gospel. “It’s about promoting Jesus and helping people to find Jesus," Hammond said. "That’s ever so important for us.”
He pointed to 2 Corinthians 5 as an important Bible verse shaping the organisation’s mission. “It says, ‘If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here,’” Hammond said. “God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, helping people find their way out of lostness into foundness.”
"Each team is run by footballers, some play, some don’t, but they’re leaders. We bring in friends, and people come to play the game,” he added.
Hammond described the approach at matches as being open about faith, but without pressure. “We say we’re very unashamed about our faith, but very unforced,” he said. “We let people find their way.”
Over the years, Hammond said many players across the national network have come to faith through involvement with teams.
“Some people have stayed, some have found faith, and some have left,” he said. “It’s no different to what Jesus did. He called people to follow him, but he was a friend of sinners. He helped people find their way.
“We’ve had people come in who were ex semi-pro players, loving the football,” he said. “Bit by bit, we keep chit-chatting the gospel and helping them find their way – if that’s what they want.
Here are the 3rd round results and quarter final fixtures
National Christian Cup – Third Round Results
31 January 2026
Regional Section – South, West & Wales
R17 Riverside Family (Southampton) v Bethel Town Pontyclun (South Wales) – to be played 28/02/26
R18 Beacon Church Camberley (Surrey) 3–0 Emmanuel Baptist (Cardiff)
R19 Kings Sports (Herts) 6–4 City Gates (Ilford)
R20 Christchurch Bromley (Kent) 4–2 St Marys West Croydon (Surrey)
Regional Section – North & Midlands
R21 Sunderland Samba (Durham) 4–2 Newcastle Community
R22 Jesmond Parish (Newcastle) 2–3 St Charles (Newcastle)
R23 Gatley St James (Manchester) 4–7 Bridge Chapel (Liverpool)
R24 St Thomas More (Coventry) 3–2 City Church Athletic (Manchester)
Quarter-Finals
7 March 2026
Regional Section – South, West & Wales
R25 Kings Sports (Herts) v Christchurch Bromley (Kent)
R26 Riverside Family (Southampton) or Bethel Town Pontyclun (South Wales) v Beacon Church Camberley (Surrey)
Regional Section – North & Midlands
R27 St Thomas More (Coventry) v Bridge Chapel (Liverpool)
R28 St Charles (Newcastle) v Sunderland Samba (Durham)
Semi-Finals
11 April 2026
Regional Section – South, West & Wales
R29 Winner R25 v Winner R26
Regional Section – North & Midlands
R30 Winner R27 v Winner R28
Final
Saturday May 2026 (Date TBC)
National Christian Trophy 2025/2026
Third Round Results
31 January 2026
Regional Section – South, East & West
R17 Apex Stars Enfield (Middx) 2–1 Newgen (Kent)
R18 Chatsworth United (SE London) 2–3 Woodside Baptist (SE London)
R19 Raynes Park United (SW London) v Holy Rood Rickmansworth (Herts) – to be played 28/02/26
R20 Beeches Pilgrims Cirencester (Glos) 4–2 Cotswold Churches (Glos)
Regional Section – North & Midlands
R21 Living Hope Church (Birmingham) – Bye
R22 Mansfield Legion (Notts) v Armley Christchurch (Leeds) – to be played 28/02/26
R23 Trent Vineyard 2nds (Nottingham) 0–3 St Nicholas & Grace Utd (Nottingham)
R24 Trinity (Nottingham) 2–1 Real Riverside (Birmingham)
Quarter-Finals
7 March 2026
Regional Section – South, East & West
R25 Raynes Park United (SW London) or Holy Rood Rickmansworth (Herts) v Apex Stars Enfield (Middx)
R26 Beeches Pilgrims Cirencester (Glos) v Woodside Baptist (SE London)
Regional Section – North & Midlands
R27 Trinity (Nottingham) v St Nicholas & Grace Utd (Nottingham)
R28 Living Hope Church (Birmingham) v Mansfield Legion (Notts) or Armley Christchurch (Leeds)
Semi-Finals
11 April 2026
Regional Section – South, East & West
R29 Winner R25 v Winner R26
Regional Section – North & Midlands
R30 Winner R27 v Winner R28
Final
Saturday May 2026 (Date TBC)
You can listen to the full interview here:
