Puma's "Rainbow Ball" returns to the EFL for LGBT+ History Month 2025

The Rainbow Ball, which first debuted last season, returned for LGBT+ History Month this February and its return was marked by some of our Fans for Diversity groups.

Two supporter groups on either side of the Steel City Derby – the Rainbow Owls and the Rainbow Blades – came together to launch the EFL’s and Puma’s rainbow ball with a grassroots football match.

This is the second season the Rainbow Ball has featured in two match rounds in the EFL, having raised thousands £16,000 for LGBT+ initiatives during last year’s LGBT+ History Month.

Fans for Diversity campaign manager Nilesh Chauhan said: “This funding has given Fans for Diversity supporter groups the opportunity to do more for the game.

“Puma’s Rainbow Ball match with the EFL wasn’t just the game; it was a statement. A statement that football is, and always should be, for all.”

The five-a-side contest between the two members of our Fans for Diversity network was a fitting launch for the Rainbow Ball in 2025 and was captured by the EFL in a special promotional film:

It’s a game for everyone, everywhere.

Sheffield derby rivals Rainbow Blades and Rainbow Owls come together with the PUMA Rainbow Ball for the first time in a five-a-side match.

Rivals on the pitch, united off it.
#EFLTogether pic.twitter.com/w4lfJmOOgn

— EFL (@EFL) February 12, 2025

204 goals were scored across the two Rainbow Ball fixture rounds this year with Puma donating to a FootballvHomophobia funding pot for every goal scored.

EFL chief Executive Trevor Birch said: “The EFL has an important role to play in ensuring our game is representative of and welcoming to all the communities we represent.

“The Rainbow ball stands as representation of our work with clubs throughout the season and is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and we stand proudly together against homophobia.”

Fans for Diversity continues to support LGBT+ groups

Sheffield United’s Rainbow Blades fan group are celebrating their fifth birthday, having been founded in 2020 with the help of our campaign.

Those five years of work, and growth – the Rainbow Blades now have 800 members – will be marked with a special dinner in Sheffield in May – more details here.

Rainbow Blades founder James Laley said: “The Fans for Diversity fund enables and empowers supporters’ groups to create lasting campaigns, initiatives and events. This is crucial so we can build inclusive communities.

“Rainbow Blades have been able to hold charity games at Bramall Lane and run inclusive football sessions for our members.”

Across Sheffield, the Rainbow Owls have continued to participate in the regional alliance of LGBT+ supporter groups and deliver a range of activities for their membership.

Chris Ledger from Rainbow Owls said: “Fans for Diversity funding has been invaluable to the growth of Rainbow Owls since our launch in June 2023.

“We were able to run a LGBTQ+ and allies fan conference at Hillsborough Stadium, which also resulted in a tie-in podcast about issues in LGBTQ+ football, and a Lionesses watch party that brought over a dozen sports fans together.

“Both of these projects simply would not have been achievable without this Fans for Diversity funding from last season’s Rainbow Ball campaign, and helped to further cement Rainbow Owls’ commitment to LGBTQ+ community, education and visibility.”

• Fans For Diversity is a campaign programme run in partnership between the Football Supporters’ Association and Kick It Out, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation. Fans For Diversity encourages, funds and supports initiatives by fan groups to promote diversity and inclusion in football, and to challenge all forms of discrimination. For more information on funding available from the campaign, contact Nilesh Chauhan or Hannah Kumari.