Rochdale AFC's Sleep Out charity event will return this autumn, the club has confirmed. The fundraiser, which sees participants spend a night outside at the Crown Oil Arena, is scheduled for Friday 9th October 2026.
According to a report from Rochdale AFC, the event will run from 7:00pm through to 7:00am the following morning. It aims to build on the success of the inaugural Sleep Out held last year, which raised £7,875.52. Those funds were split between the Rochdale AFC Community Trust and the charity Petrus, directly launching their Changing Lives partnership.
Changing Lives provides football, wellbeing sessions, education support, and employability opportunities for people experiencing homelessness or living in supported accommodation. The continuation of this vital work is the sole purpose of the 2026 event, with every pound raised going directly to the partnership.
Who can take part in the Rochdale Sleep Out?
The club is casting a wide net for participants this October. Individuals, families, local businesses, schools, and community groups are all invited to register. People can take part alone, with a group of friends, as part of a workplace team, or even as a football club. The venue for the overnight stay is the Crown Oil Arena at Rochdale Football Club on Sandy Lane, OL11 5DR.
Scott Webster is the main point of contact for anyone seeking more details or wishing to sign up. He can be reached via email at scott.webster@rochdaleafc.co.uk. The club hopes to see hundreds of supporters from across the town take part once again, matching or exceeding the community turnout from the first event.
How does the fundraiser fit with Rochdale's season?
The Sleep Out arrives during a challenging period on the pitch for Rochdale. The team currently sits 22nd in the League Two standings, having taken just three points from their opening five matches. Their record shows one win and four losses, with a recent run of form reading LWLLL. They have scored five goals but conceded ten, leaving them with a negative five goal difference.
They are also nine points adrift of early leaders Bristol Rovers in the title race. The club's focus, however, extends beyond results, with community initiatives like the Sleep Out forming a core part of its identity. Supporters can check the team's upcoming fixtures, including a tough away trip to 5th-placed Walsall on 12th September, as they look to improve their league position.
What did the first Sleep Out achieve?
The success of the initial event proved the concept's power. The nearly eight thousand pounds raised had a direct and tangible impact, allowing the Community Trust and Petrus to formally launch the Changing Lives programme. This partnership creates a structured pathway offering more than just shelter, using sport and personal development to build long-term stability for vulnerable individuals in the borough.
By returning for a second year, Rochdale AFC aims to embed the Sleep Out as an annual fixture in the local calendar. It represents a significant commitment of time and effort from club staff and volunteers, demonstrating that the club's role in Rochdale is varied. The event provides a way for fans to connect with the club's community work, separate from the weekly drama of matchdays.
Registration for the Rochdale AFC Sleep Out on 9th October 2026 is now open through the club's community team.
