Football Manager 2020 supports the Hub of Hope

The developers behind football management simulation game series Football Manager have given their support to the Hub of Hope, by providing Chasing the Stigma with free in-game advertising for the duration of the current UK lockdown.

 

 

Our branding, details of our Hub of Hope app and crisis text line service are now appearing on in-game pitch-side advertising hoardings in Football Manager 2020, alongside multiple other mental health charities globally.

The opportunity arose after eagle-eyed Chasing the Stigma supporter (and avid Football Manager player), Paul Croft, spotted an appeal from Sports Interactive boss Miles Jacobson to mental health charities across the world, offering free in-game advertising amid the coronavirus lockdown.

 

 

Jake Mills, CEO of Chasing the Stigma, said: “Seeing details of our mental health support app and crisis text line service appearing in such a globally renowned game is absolutely fantastic. Life in lockdown is tough for many of us right now, with many of the things we do to relax, escape our worries and get a break are on hold.

“Knowing that people turning to Football Manager as a means of respite and relaxation might see our service use it to find relevant local support for themselves or a loved one is a great feeling and we’d like to thank the whole team at Sports Interactive Games for the opportunity.”

We’re more than excited to be appearing in the game, not least because of the number of people this gives us the opportunity to introduce the Hub of Hope to.

Since lockdown came into force the game has broken records, peaking at 189,000 concurrent players on Sunday 29th March. During the lockdown, more than 877,000 people took advantage of the game being free to play for a fortnight.

Miles Jacobson, Studio Director of Sports Interactive said “We feel that this unusual period of isolation could have a serious impact on many people’s mental health and wellbeing, which is why we’re happy to help raise awareness of the important work of Chasing the Stigma and other mental health charities through free pitchside advertising in Football Manager 2020 to players across the UK.”

On seeing the branding in place, Chasing the Stigma supporter and Football Manager player Paul said: “It’s great seeing the Hub of Hope represented in a game used by so many people, it’s a fantastic resource and the more people who know about it, the better.

“However, in the action shot we have here O’Neill is clearly struggling for match sharpness. I recommend he be limited to a maximum of 75 mins of action.”

If you’re missing football we suggest you give Football Manager’s virtual world a try – if you spot the Hub of Hope while you do, take a screenshot and share it with us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Hub of Hope in-game artwork designed by Nonconform.

<- Back to news