Kirkwall Ba’ Game

Every year on 25 December, or the Monday after when that is a Sunday · From 10:00

New Year's Day Men's Ba', Broad Street, Kirkwall 2015© Ian BalcombeCC BY-SA 2.0

Next

Friday 25 December 2026, From 10:00

Free

Sets off from

Mercat Cross

Both games start at the Mercat Cross in front of St Magnus Cathedral on Broad Street. The Uppies try to reach their goal at the top of the town and the Doonies try to get the ba' into the harbour.

Broad Street
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1DH

About

A mass street football game between the Uppies and the Doonies, played through the streets of Kirkwall with a hand-made leather ball and no referee or time limit. The boys’ game starts at 10:00 and the men’s at 13:00 when the cathedral clock strikes, and both are played again on New Year’s Day.

Website
orkney.com/events/new-years-day-ba

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December 2026

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