More than 250 guests gathered at Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening for _Night to Belong_, The Arsenal Foundation’s flagship fundraising dinner supporting the club’s impact locally and globally.
Returning after a seven-year hiatus, the event marked a significant moment for The Arsenal Foundation - reaffirming its role at the heart of the club’s wider purpose and raising vital funds to support programmes in north London and beyond.
The evening brought together players from both squads, club legends, senior leaders, and a host of special guests to support the club’s action in its communities.
Men’s captain Martin Ødegaard and women’s captain Kim Little joined Mikel Arteta and Renée Slegers on stage to open the evening and reflected on the responsibility of the club to its communities around the world.
“When you wear this badge, you feel the history and the responsibility that comes with it,” **Martin Ødegaard** said.
“What makes this club special is the connection between the team, our supporters, and our community. We are building something together, and that unity gives us energy every day”.
**Kim Little added** “this club feels like home because of our standards and our community. We all feel the power we have to help each other. You see generations come through and you understand that it’s your responsibility to leave it better for those who follow. It has always been about more than football.”
Those funds support programmes that engage more than 6,000 people locally each week, creating safe spaces, providing access to trusted role models and opening pathways into education, employment and wellbeing support.
Night to Belong 2026
They also support global initiatives such as _Coaching for Life_, delivered in partnership with Save the Children in Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan. The programme uses structured football sessions to help young people displaced by conflict build communication skills, emotional resilience and confidence in a safe and supportive environment.
Since its launch, more than 6,000 young people have graduated from Coaching for Life, with equal numbers of girls and boys now participating in every programme cycle.
**Freddie Hudson, Arsenal’s Director of Community**, said: “The special power we have is the pride and deep connection people feel towards Arsenal. Our responsibility is to extend that same sense of belonging to those who may not experience it so easily in their own lives. For nearly 40 years we have worked consistently in our communities - investing in safe spaces, building trusted relationships and creating pathways into opportunity. That trust and consistency – enabled by funding from The Arsenal Foundation – is what enables us to make a positive impact on people’s lives, whether that’s here in north London or around the world.”
**Mairead King, Director of The Arsenal Foundation**, said: “Our goal is to create a sense of belonging in our communities. Nights like tonight help us achieve that mission, enabling us to fund programmes that create safe spaces and opportunities. From Islington to some of the toughest environments around the world, our approach and support remain consistent. We are proud to work alongside partners close to the heart of this club to deliver that impact.”
We are proud to work alongside so many partners close to the heart of this club to help deliver this – including Save the Children on our international work and the Willow Foundation and Islington Giving locally.”
Night to Belong also highlighted the Foundation’s partnerships with Save the Children, Willow Foundation and Islington Giving.
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