Under the slogan, #WhereItAllBegins, the Athletic Club Foundation encourages everyone to take part in the annual celebration recognising and supporting youth football
The fourth edition of Euskal Non-League Day takes place this weekend at the home grounds of 100 Athletic Club-affiliated clubs across the Basque Country. Under the slogan #DenaHastenDenLekuan, #WhereItAllBegins, Athletic Club is encouraging all Zurigorri fans to attend their local neighbourhood or town team’s matches this Saturday and Sunday and join in the grassroots football celebrations.
For Athletic, it is essential that the social value of youth football, as represented by the affiliated clubs, is recognised. This weekend, with the men’s LaLiga in a break, is the ideal opportunity for non-professional clubs to see their sporting and social work recognised in support of the community of which they form part.
‘First in the World’ meets ‘Unique in the World’ for Non-League Day 2026
As part of Athletic Club’s 2026 Euskal Non-League Day activities, representatives from the club, and members of our UK-based supporters’ group, Mr. Pentland Club, will attend Sheffield FC’s Non-League Day fixture against Tadcaster AFC at The Home of Football Stadium on March 28.
During half-time, Athletic Club’s institutional guest will take to the pitch to receive official gifts from the English outfit including a commemorative jersey and a copy of their iconic ‘1857 Rules of Football’.
In addition to this visit, Athletic has invited Sheffield’s chief executive officer and director of business to attend a future fixture at San Mames.
About Non-League Day
Euskal Non-League Day is an initiative inspired by the British Non-League Day movement, which has been promoting attendance at non-professional football matches during international breaks since 2010.
Athletic Club, aware that the values promoted by this community initiative resonate directly with our identity, is the only team in LaLiga that dedicates an entire weekend to highlighting the importance of grassroots football and encouraging attendance at local grounds.
Furthermore, following three successful editions, Athletic Club has established a close relationship with this initiative, which reinforces a sense of belonging among the Athletic family and our connection with academy and non-professional football throughout the Basque Country.
In addition, the club maintains a strong bond with the organisers in the United Kingdom and its founder, James Doe, who has visited the Basque Country on two occasions. A video of James Doe encouraging all participating clubs to take part and highlighting the importance of Euskal-Non League Day was also shown during the presentation.
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