Beloved authors and football icons inspired local school children to ‘go all in’ on their passions through reading today, as the National Year of Reading officially launched at The Emirates.
The nationwide initiative from the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust seeks to address the steep decline in the nation’s enjoyment of reading by inspiring people of all ages to ‘Go All In’ on the things they already love through reading in whatever way works for them, whether that’s print books or audiobooks, digital magazines or graphic novels.
To launch the initiative, former Arsenal and England footballer Theo Walcott, author, producer and TV presenter Richard Osman and children’s authors and illustrators Nadia Shireen and Jordan Glover joined local primary school children in a series of activities to spotlight how passions such as football can ignite a love of reading and lead to exciting jobs.
Motivating children and young people to engage with reading through football and empowering them to feel reading is relevant to their lives and interests is something we’ve championed for the past 25 years through our work with the Premier League, and sat at the heart of the launch event on Tuesday 13 January 2026.
Led by authors, Arsenal in the Community and the National Literacy Trust, local school children from Amber Primary School and Sacred Heart Primary School took part in a lively ‘footy and booky’ quiz with the National Literacy Trust, practiced being a presenter by writing then reading an autocue script on camera, and created story characters in an Arsenal-themed literacy workshop using popular football player cards.
The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, officially launched the campaign today alongside our Chief Executive, Jonathan Douglas, and National Year of Reading Director, David Hayman.
"Some of my happiest childhood memories are of reading with my grandad, getting lost in The Chronicles of Narnia together. I want every child to feel that same joy, whether their passion is football, fantasy or physics.”
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary
"The National Year of Reading provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people's life stories. Whether it’s a baby experiencing the magic of a picture book for the first time, a family listening to an audiobook on the school run, a teenager immersed in fan fiction or an adult reading the football pages on their commute, reading is for everyone.”
Jonathan Douglas CBE, our Chief Executive
Who are the Go All In Ambassadors?
Exciting National Year of Reading ambassadors were also unveiled today, committing to using their voices and platforms to help more children, young people and adults reconnect reading to their interests this year.
Ambassadors include footballer and author Leah Williamson, authors Cressida Cowell, George the Poet, Michael Morpurgo, Julia Donaldson and Richard Osman, social media star Jack Edwards and fitness coach and author Joe Wicks.
“The Go All In campaign is a massive moment for literacy in this country. Football is all about moments too. It’s all about chances. Waiting for them to arise and taking them when they do. The National Year of Reading 2026 is YOUR chance to really Go All In on your passions by reading into them. So, seize the moment and take that chance. Pick up a book, listen to an audiobook, get stuck into articles on whatever you love. It all counts. Because if you’re into it, read into it.”
Leah Williamson, Arsenal Women and England Lioness captain and children’s author
National Year of Reading cross-sector partners and supporters, including Arts Council England, Amazon, BookTrust, Penguin Random House, the Premier League Foundation and The Queen’s Reading Room gathered at today’s event to discuss the priorities and actions needed to transform the nation’s relationship with reading, both this year and for generations to come.
Throughout the year, there will be lots of opportunities for individuals, families, schools, libraries, businesses and community and cultural partners to get involved with the National Year of Reading.
How the National Literacy Trust uses sport to transform literacy
At the National Literacy Trust, we ask a simple question: what if we built more reading opportunities around what children and young people already love?
Many children don’t see themselves as readers, but they do see themselves in football – as fans, as players, as part of a community. For young people who have disengaged with traditional reading materials, football can act as a power motivator. It opens the door to reading in a way that feels relevant and accessible.