Premier League Ends Rainbow Laces Partnership in 2025

Premier League Ends Partnership with Stonewall, Rainbow Laces Campaign Concludes

The Premier League has officially ended its eight-year partnership with Stonewall, bringing the iconic Rainbow Laces campaign—a symbol of LGBTQ+ inclusivity—to a close. The league plans to launch its own new LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative during every February’s LGBTQ+ History Month.

Let’s unpack what led to this decision, what comes next, and what fans and the community are saying.

Premier League Official Statement

Background

Since 2017, the Premier League had teamed up with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign with rainbow armbands, laces, and pitchside branding designed to combat homophobia and promote acceptance in football. This initiative was embedded across matchdays and grassroots programs like Premier League Primary Stars and Kicks.

Premier League players wearing rainbow laces in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion”

Key Insights / Breakdown of the Topic

1. End of the Stonewall Partnership

In a meeting with all 20 club captains, the Premier League decided to discontinue the long-running Rainbow Laces campaign and its formal Stonewall partnership.

Stonewall – Rainbow Laces Campaign

2. Departure Reasons & New Strategy

While Rainbow Laces played a vital role in raising LGBTQ+ visibility, controversies around religious objections and player non-participation contributed to discontent. Now, the league will launch its own inclusion campaign starting Feb 2026.

The Guardian – LGBTQ+ in Football

3. Impact of the Decision

This shift signifies a transition from a charity-aligned initiative to a league-led program, allowing the Premier League more control over messaging and inclusivity efforts.

Real Stats and Examples

The Rainbow Laces campaign began in 2013, with the Premier League officially joining in 2017.

Despite its runway success, several players—like Marc Guéhi and Sam Morsy—publicly declined to take part, citing religious beliefs or personal convictions.

Grassroots programs often relied on Stonewall’s resources for education and inclusion training.

Premier League executives at press conference or announcement event

What People Are Saying

“Rainbow Laces has helped improve LGBTQ+ inclusion... while these challenges exist, the campaign helped shift the dial,” said a Stonewall spokesperson.

Fans on social media reacted strongly:

Reddit user: “If the campaign isn’t mandatory, it loses purpose. The league needs to lead from the top, not rely on visuals alone.”

Supporters of new league-led campaigns hope this will result in more consistent and inclusive messaging—without dependency on external organizations.

Premier League fans with pro-inclusion banners in stadiums”

Expert Tips / Best Practices

Mandatory inclusivity initiatives: Campaigns should be embedded into matchday infrastructure—not optional player participation.

Year-round visibility: Integration across branding, kits, and community education ensures better impact than a once-a-year event.

Collaboration with grassroots groups: While moving away from Stonewall, continued consultation with LGBTQ+ advocates remains vital.

FAQs

Why did the Premier League end Rainbow Laces?
The league is ending the campaign to introduce its own bespoke inclusion initiative starting in February 2026.

Will the league still promote LGBTQ+ inclusion?
Yes—the league says new programs and educational efforts will replace and expand on past efforts.

Was Rainbow Laces successful?
Absolutely—many credit it for increasing visibility and acceptance, especially at grassroots levels.

Were there controversies around Rainbow Laces?
Yes—some players declined participation due to religious beliefs, leading to public debate on voluntary campaigns.

Final Thoughts

The end of the Premier League’s Stonewall partnership and Rainbow Laces campaign marks a new chapter in how football approaches LGBTQ+ inclusion. While this shift brings uncertainty, it also presents an opportunity for the league to develop more inclusive, consistent, and widely accepted programs from within.

Call to Action

What do you think—will a league-led inclusion campaign be more effective than Rainbow Laces? Share your thoughts below.
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