KSS to participate in the 2024 London Open House Festival

We are delighted to participate in this year's Open House Festival 2024 in partnership with adidas London, opening the doors to the recently completed Selhurst Sports Arena—#Merky FC HQ in the London borough of Croydon.

adidas and #Merky FC took what was a run-down football pitch and distressed changing room used by the community, levelled it and created the brand new #Merky FC HQ in Stormzy’s hometown. The premises boasts a full-size 3G football pitch, modern changing rooms, a sports gaming hub, state-of-the-art recording equipment for podcasts and local artists, versatile multi-purpose rooms, an educational space, a multi-purpose studio, a fully equipped kitchen and restrooms.

The #Merky FC initiative is built on two pillars – the first is a careers programme aiming to revolutionise the football industry, focusing on jobs in football off the pitch, addressing the underrepresentation of individuals with Black Heritage in football leadership positions, which currently stands at only 6.7%. The second pillar is a place to call home for #MerkyFC. A place where football and the culture born from it, come to life.

A space managed by Communities First Foundation, which aims to empower communities across London through access to sport, training and employment support.

The Open House Festival is a free, fantastic opportunity to celebrate and explore architecture, design and community spaces in London’s 33 boroughs.

The programme has officially launched, and the festival opens between 14 – 22 September.

CLICK HERE to find out more