The UK’s leading hedgehog charity has announced the winner of this season’s Hedgehog Cup

Liverpool FC has been crowned winners of the 2026 Hedgehog Cup, run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), after beating Northampton Town FC 39–36 in the final.

Launched in November, the Cup competition saw 32 clubs from the Hedgehog Friendly Football League go head-to-head across five rounds — not by scoring goals on the pitch, but by carrying out hedgehog-friendly activities and conservation actions.

Premier League giants Liverpool narrowly defeated League One side Northampton Town 39–36 after a closely fought six-week final.

Throughout the competition, Liverpool went wild for hedgehogs – from ensuring all their mowers had BHPS ‘check’ stickers in place, to adding hedgehog houses to their training ground wildlife area. Staff, including men’s first team player Milos Kerkez, marked World Earth Day by creating space for hedgehogs and bees at the club’s allotment site.

The Reds even spent time educating staff and Liverpool FC Women players Beata Olsson and Cornelia Kapocs on hedgehog rehabilitation – including how to safely handle a rescued ‘hog and placing hedgehog houses in their own orchard at the AXA Training Centre.

Worthy opponents

Northampton Town impressed throughout the final, gaining support across its Men’s, Women’s and Academy teams, sharing campaign content across social media, and even seeing club mascot Clarence the Dragon promoting the campaign during matchdays.

Fay Vass, Chief Executive at BHPS said: “Huge congratulations to Liverpool for their amazing work in the final – a well-deserved win!

“While we know there may not be many hedgehogs at the stadiums, the Cup is a great opportunity to make the most of training grounds and other green spaces – and raising awareness about being mindful of wildlife when we do maintenance or gardening.

“Both clubs in the Hedgehog Cup final pulled out all the stops, and it was brilliant to see so much support for hedgehogs across the competition.

“We’d like to thank Northampton Town for their valiant efforts in getting so many players, staff and youth teams involved.

“Hedgehog populations have declined significantly across the UK since the year 2000 and it’s more important than ever that we stand together to help protect their welfare and habitats. Initiatives like the Hedgehog Cup and Hedgehog Friendly Football League help make a real difference for hedgehogs.”

Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool Football Club, said: “It’s been great taking part in this initiative, and we’re proud of the work taking place every day at the AXA Training Centre and Academy to help create spaces where hedgehogs and other local wildlife can feel safe and thrive.

“Biodiversity and nature are essential parts of The Red Way under the planet pillar, and the commitment shown by colleagues across the club, led by the efforts of our Grounds Team, continues to make a positive impact across our sites. We’re grateful to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for highlighting the importance of protecting wildlife and helping clubs make a difference.”

The Hedgehog Cup and the wider Hedgehog Friendly Football League campaign aim to promote hedgehog-friendly groundskeeping practices and inspire fans to make their own gardens and green spaces more welcoming habitat for hedgehogs.

Find more information on point scoring activities and Cup Rules here.

Get involved

The Hedgehog Cup and the wider Hedgehog Friendly Football League campaign aim to promote hedgehog-friendly groundskeeping practices. Clubs are encouraged to place “Check for Hedgehogs Before Use” stickers on grounds maintenance machinery and inspire fans to make their own gardens and green spaces more welcoming habitat for hedgehogs.