A pilot project in the United Kingdom allows live football matches to be monitored to improve people’s mental health. The ‘Football on Prescription’ scheme has allowed general practitioners to prescribe attending live matches to patients with mild to moderate depression and other minor mental health issues over the past year.
The initiative was launched in August 2025 at Forest Green Rovers, a League One side in Gloucestershire. It was supported by Labour MP and general practitioner Simon Ophers and Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity and the club’s owner. The club hosted patients at a match against Hartlepool on Saturday.
The initiative is part of Dr Ophers’ efforts, who is a pioneer in prescribing this form of therapy to patients with mild or moderate depression instead of antidepressants. Dr Ophers had previously prescribed attending comedies and gardening to patients, as he was concerned that he was prescribing antidepressants too frequently. This is a general practitioner with 30 years of experience.
Patients receive free tickets for matches, and before the match they meet regular fans. Dozens of people have taken part in the scheme since last season. Dr Ophers stated that the project is continuing because the partnership has been renewed.
According to the latest data from the National Health Service (NHS), in the 2025–26 period, medication was prescribed to 9.1 million patients, a 3.1 per cent increase. Women make up more than two-fifths of patients prescribed these drugs, and for those aged 15 to 19, that figure reaches 71 per cent.
One participant in the scheme is Sarah Bartlett, a teacher who looks after her 89-year-old mother, who has multiple sclerosis and is also recovering from cancer. Sarah, a Liverpool fan, took the opportunity to attend a match with her son. Participants were offered time in nature, art therapy, or talking with other carers.
Mr Vince bought the club in 2010 and has since transformed it into the world’s first vegan and carbon-neutral football club. Both Mr Vince and the club’s organizers have called for the scheme to be expanded to the English Football League and the Premier League. The Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ initiative was launched in 2025, aiming to reduce the stigma around mental health and provide support. The league has not confirmed whether it will introduce a ‘Football on Prescription’ scheme.
