What are the Uppies and Downies?

Uppies and Downies is a traditional mass football game played every Easter in Workington, Cumbria. Hundreds of players battle to carry a ball to goals at either end of the town.

When is Uppies and Downies played?

The game is played annually over three matches at Easter: on Good Friday, the following Tuesday, and the following Saturday.

What are the rules of Uppies and Downies?

There are no formal rules, referees, or teams. Players are split into Uppies, who try to get the ball to the top of the town, and Downies, who aim for the harbour. The game can last for hours and involves strength, tactics, and community rivalry.

Where did Uppies and Downies come from?

The tradition is centuries old and thought to descend from medieval football games once played across Britain. In Workington, it has been recorded since at least the 17th century and continues as a living link to the town’s heritage.

Is Uppies and Downies dangerous?

Yes, the game can be rough and physical, with scrums involving hundreds of players. While serious injuries are rare, the contest is not for the faint-hearted and is best enjoyed as a spectator tradition.

Cumbria Guru

Uppies and Downies – Workington’s Easter Football Tradition

History
Posted 5 months ago
Workington

The Uppies and Downies is one of Cumbria’s most dramatic and historic folk games. Played every Easter in the town of Workington, it pits hundreds of players against each other in a battle to carry a ball to one of two goals. With no teams, no referees, and almost no rules, it is a spectacle of raw energy, rivalry, and community spirit.

Origins & Heritage

The tradition of mass football games stretches back to medieval times, when towns across Britain played huge contests in the streets. Workington’s version has been recorded for at least 350 years, with some claiming roots even earlier.

The name comes from the two opposing sides: the Uppies, who aim to get the ball “up” the town to Curwen Hall, and the Downies, who try to reach the River Derwent by the harbour. The rivalry reflects the town’s geography and its community divisions, passed down through generations.

How the Game Works

Uppies and Downies is played across three matches every Easter: Good Friday, the following Tuesday, and the following Saturday.

There are no fixed teams, locals traditionally support the side linked to where they were born or raised.
The ball is specially made, large and heavy, crafted each year by local leatherworkers.
The game starts in the town centre and can last for hours as hundreds of players push, pull, and scrum over possession.
Victory is declared when the ball reaches one of the goals: the harbour for the Downies or Curwen Hall for the Uppies.

Quick Facts: Uppies and Downies

Location: Workington, West Cumbria
First Recorded: 17th century
When: Good Friday, Easter Tuesday, Easter Saturday
Sides: Uppies (Curwen Hall) vs Downies (Harbour)
Rules: None officially – no teams, no referee
Ball: Handmade leather, heavy and durable

Community Spirit & Rivalry

The game is more than just sport; it is a deep-rooted tradition of identity and belonging. Families proudly support either Uppies or Downies, and victories are celebrated in the pubs and streets long after the match ends. The ball is often signed and kept as a trophy, displayed as a badge of pride until the next year’s games.

Is It Dangerous?

The contest is notoriously physical. Scrums of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of players form in the streets, and the ball can disappear into a crush of bodies for long stretches. While many treat it as good fun, the sheer intensity means it can be rough and even hazardous. Spectators usually watch from a safe distance and enjoy the drama unfolding.

Why It Endures

In an age of organised sport and digital entertainment, Uppies and Downies remains defiantly traditional. It embodies West Cumbria’s resilience, humour, and community bonds. Like the Egremont Crab Fair and the World Gurning Championships, it is a tradition that could only survive in a place with strong local pride.

The Uppies and Downies is not just a game, it is Workington’s story told through rivalry, tradition, and sheer determination. Each Easter, the town unites to celebrate a contest that has outlived centuries of change, and shows no sign of fading.