Opening today, The National Football Museum’s Batteries Not Included exhibition explores the history and development of football toys and games, and their influence on our lives and understanding of the beautiful game.
Batteries Not Included takes visitors on an immersive journey from the Victorian era through to the latest cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology, reflecting the cultural influences of each decade and how play technology is now adopted across the professional game.
Best of all, visitors of all ages can get hands-on with a range of football toys and games taking them on an exciting exploration of play between the real and virtual worlds, with 17 interactive games and exhibits including Subbuteo and a variety of classic arcade video games.
Batteries Not Included has been co-created with the community and football fans, featuring personal stories and a special, separate children’s interpretation trail. It is also the National Football Museum’s most environmentally sustainable exhibition to date, making extensive use of re-purposed materials and recycled components.
This exhibition is the museum’s first as a new National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), which centres around ‘Football Creates’ – an inclusive, three-year cultural programme using the unrivalled appeal of football to engage people and communities in creativity.
Tim Desmond, CEO of the National Football Museum said: “We are really excited to showcase our new exhibition to all our visitors this summer. Whilst there is certainly an element of nostalgia, Batteries Not Included also explores the future of football toys and games and importantly with many opportunities for people of all ages to engage with Football Creates through the exhibition and events programme.”
Batteries Not Included runs at Manchester’s National Football Museum until 25 February 2024.
