Play / Christmas
A Christmas Football Tournament for Your Team
A December tournament against other London companies. Play it as your team's Christmas social, or put it alongside your Christmas party.
The short answer
What are good Christmas party ideas in London for work teams?
A Christmas football tournament. Your company enters a team into Secta's December tournament against other London companies, or books its own private tournament for the office. It works as a Christmas social on its own, or alongside your Christmas party. Secta runs the venue, referees, fixtures and trophy.
- open tournament
- December
- hours, start to trophy
- 3 to 4
- or the whole office
- 1 team
- on its own or alongside the party
- Your call
Most work Christmas socials follow the same script: a long table, a set menu, and the same people talking to the same people. A tournament gives the season something different. Teams are mixed across departments, everyone has a side to shout for, and there is a story the whole office is still telling in January.
It does not have to replace the party. Plenty of teams play it as their Christmas social on its own, on a different night. Others play in the afternoon and head to the party afterwards. Either works.
Football is the format we run best. It works for players and for people who have not kicked a ball since school, because the games are short, refereed and kept friendly. Those who would rather watch get a touchline and a reason to care about the result.
December books up early. Venues fill and diaries close, so if you want your team in, register interest now and we will confirm the date and venue with you first.
Next: December
Enter a team into our Christmas tournament
Bring one team of six to ten and play other London companies for an afternoon or evening in December. A Christmas social on its own, with no admin and no season to commit to.
- One team, one day, a trophy to win
- Play companies from across London
- Date and venue confirmed to everyone who registers
Your office only
Book your own Christmas tournament
A private tournament for your company, on a date in November or December that suits you, from one office to several. We build the format around your headcount.
- Teams drawn from across the company
- Venue, referees, kit and trophies sorted
- Optional content crew for a highlights film
How it works
From enquiry to kick-off
Tell us your numbers
One team or the whole office, and whether you want to enter our December tournament or run your own.
We set it up
Venue, pitches, referees, fixtures and trophies. For private tournaments we draw the teams across departments so nobody plays with their usual lunch table.
Play
Short, refereed games over three to four hours, building to a final and a trophy lift.
Celebrate
On its own or before the party, there is a winner to toast. Add a content crew and the highlights film lands before the new year.
The details
Format & what's included
Format
Small-sided games, usually six-a-side, in groups then knockouts. Rolling subs and qualified referees keep it fair and friendly.
Who it suits
Mixed ability by design. Experienced players and complete beginners both enjoy it, and non-players are welcome on the touchline.
Prefer padel?
Our padel Christmas party starts with a lesson for beginners, then a small tournament against other companies. See the padel Christmas party page.
Pricing
The December tournament is priced per team. Private tournaments are quoted on headcount, venue and extras. Tell us your numbers and we will come back with a price.
Venues
Playing across London
We run Christmas tournaments at multi-pitch 3G venues across London, close to where your office is.
- Shoreditch
- King's Cross
- the City
- Canary Wharf
- Clapham
- Hackney
- Battersea
- Islington
From the journal
Further reading
What teams say
Don't just take our word for it
“Every company in London should be involved with Secta leagues. The games are always well organised and they provide top quality facilities. Plus it's been a great way of getting people from across the business together.”
adam&eveDDB
“We've played in the advertising league and cup for 3 seasons now and it's always been well run, well promoted and good fun to play in. Don't stop emailing your MD until they pay for your team to get involved, it's worth every penny.”
VCCP
FAQ
Questions, answered
When is the December tournament?
In December. The exact date and venue go first to everyone who registers interest, so register now if you want your team in.
How many people do we need?
Six to ten to enter one team into our tournament. For your own private tournament, anything from about 20 people upwards works, split into teams.
We have people who don't play football. Will they enjoy it?
Yes. Games are short and refereed, teams are mixed, and nobody needs to be good. People who would rather not play can watch, cheer and take photos.
Is there another open tournament after Christmas?
Yes. Our one-day January tournament is open to company teams too, if December is too busy.
Can we do it on our own date in November or December?
Yes. Private tournaments are booked around your date. December evenings go quickly, so the earlier you ask, the more choice of venue you have.
Can you film it?
Yes. Add Secta's content crew and you get a highlights film and photos, ready for your internal channels or LinkedIn.
Ready to get your team on the pitch?
Tell us your headcount and preferred format, we'll come back with everything you need.