Chiswick Set to Host 'Quidditch' Euros

Quadball's coming home to Kings House Sports Ground

The sport has similar rules to the one played in Harry Potter. Picture: Lore Badts

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July 16, 2024

After the disappointment of the defeat of England men’s football team in the Euros, there is a chance of some consolation in the forthcoming Quadball European Championships due to be hosted in Chiswick.

The sport, formerly known as Quidditch, is holding a 2-day tournament organised by the International Quadball Association at Kings House Sports Ground.

Although, the players are all muggles and can’t actually fly on their broomsticks, the rules of the sport are derived from J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Seven players on each team compete to outscore their opponents by scoring the quaffle through the one of the opposition hoops and defending their own hoops with tackles and bludgers.

The snitch is replaced with a flag runner with a flag tied to their shorts. Picture: Lore Badts

In place of the snitch, a flag runner, who has a flag attached to their shorts, comes on after 20 minutes of play. The team's seekers attempt to pull the flag, with the successful team gaining 30 points. The flag runner can use their strength and speed to avoid being caught.

Quadball is a LGBT+ inclusive, full contact sport, with athletes of all genders on the pitch. Teams representing fifteen nations of Europe will compete in group stages to eventually determine the champions of Europe.

Fifteen teams from Europe will be competing for the trophy. Picture: Lore Badts

The IQA announced in March that the IQA European Games 2024 will be held in London after a successful bid from QuadballUK and a dedicated team of volunteers.

The King’s House Sports Ground hosted Quadball UK's Community Fixture in 2021.

Matt Bateman, the Tournament Director for the European Games, "We have a running relationship with Kings House Sports Ground and it's been a fantastic venue for hosting and growing the sport here in London and beyond. We very much wanted to ensure that our first international event utilised this existing relationship to bring the best of the sport to where it started for us."

The event takes place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.

Tickets are available for adults at £15 for the weekend or £8 for a single day; Kids under 13 are free and there will be an opportunity for younger spectators to try out the new sport.

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