The summer festival of football is making its highly anticipated return to the Isle of Man this July, but with a fresh twist: for the first time ever, the action is heading north to Ramsey. Hosted by FC Isle of Man, this annual pre-season showcase promises three days of thrilling matches, community spirit, and a celebration of the beautiful game.
Scheduled for July 17-19, all games will take place at Ramsey's Ballacloan Stadium, a venue that organizers say boasts a "brilliant pitch" and top-tier facilities. The festival will feature a stellar lineup, including familiar faces like National League North side Radcliffe Borough, returning for their third visit, alongside League Two's Shrewsbury Town and Bury FC from the Northern Premier League Division One West.
The move to Ramsey comes after uncertainty around the availability of FC Isle of Man's usual home ground, The Bowl in Douglas. But as club director of football Lee Dixon explains, this shift is about more than logistics—it's about unity. "The Manx community isn't just Douglas," he says. "This is taking it out to another place like Ramsey, and hopefully all the bars, restaurants, and shops get to benefit from that. We'll have a very busy Ramsey on July 17th and 19th."
The festival kicks off on Friday, July 17, at 3:30 PM BST with Radcliffe Borough taking on Shrewsbury Town, followed by FC Isle of Man versus Bury at 7:30 PM. The action wraps up on Sunday, July 19, with a third-place playoff at 11:00 AM and the grand final at 3:00 PM. For FC Isle of Man, who compete in the North West Counties League Premier Division, this event is a chance to fine-tune their squad while welcoming fans from across the island and beyond.
As the Ravens continue to grow their footprint, this move reinforces their commitment to being a club for the entire Isle of Man—bringing top-tier pre-season football to a new audience and strengthening the local community bond. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just love the sport, mark your calendars for a weekend of football, friendship, and summer fun.