Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire,UK. 13th February 2024. The Atherstone Ball Game is a annual event in the Warwickshire town of Atherstone that has been known to erupt into violence. Based on a medieval tradition, the game sees hundreds of men attempt to be the last person holding the titular Atherstone Ball at the end of a two-hour period.

Every year, the game takes place on Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, starting at 3pm. There are a few restrictions but it is largely a free-for-all. One rule is that the game is only allowed to be played on Atherstone's Long Street. The second rule is that participants are not allowed to kill anyone.

Police have warned that Atherstone Ball Game 2024 is 'not an excuse for violence'. A message was issued by Warwickshire Police yesterday of what will be the 824th event. Ahead of the 2024 event, it was reported that police drones and CCTV cameras would be used to try and keep trouble-making to a minimum.