South Western Ambulance and Dorset Police are set to trade their sirens for studs as Dorset Nines emergency services launches its inaugural event for the 2026 season. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the two services will go head-to-head in a high-stakes football match at the Bob Lucas Stadium in Weymouth.
This annual clash sees the county’s emergency services step out from their side-by-side professional roles and into a fierce, yet friendly, sporting rivalry. While the tactical precision of the Police will be tested against the relentless nature of the Paramedics, the ultimate goal remains the same: supporting our local Dorset community.
Set up as a brain child of Jake Bailes and co-created by Chris Taylor who both work for the South Western Ambulance, what was intended to be a small event has grown significantly over the past 12 months taking this charity kick about in a field to its new home at Weymouth FC. The event’s primary objective has always been to raise money for charity – especially those linked to the Dorset community and the emergency services.
These charities were chosen due to the amazing work that they undertake every day despite only being partially funded (if at all) outside of public donations. As costs rise for us all, not only will the charities’ overheads increase, but their donations will also reduce as people tighten their belts to watch their own finances. These charities are vital to our emergency services and community in a multitude of ways:
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance ensure that critical care support is available for ambulance staff to treat and transport our seriously ill patients. They bring a critical care facility to any incident be that a cardiac arrest, a broken limb or a serious illness.
Police Care UK support Policing staff and their families to access and receive support in their time of need.
The South Western Ambulance Charity provide support to our ambulance staff to access training and counselling; they support our communities in training and education in CPR and the use of a defibrillator. The team ensure that our public access defibrillators are available and accessible at the exact moment that they are needed giving our patients the best opportunity of survival as we travel to scene.
Weldmar Hospicecare provides support and comfort to both the patient and their family. Around the clock, on the ward or at home, they ensure that patients receive relieving medications, support and ultimately a dignified death. Weldmar Hospicecare continue to support the bereaved families following the loss of their loved ones.
The event is being held on Saturday 2nd May 2026, 15:00 – 21:00 (Match kick off 17:30) and is being held at Weymouth FC (The Bob Lucas Stadium), Radipole Lane, Weymouth, DT4 9XJ.
Event Highlights: The stadium gates will open at 15:00, transforming the grounds into a vibrant community hub long before the 17:30 kick-o. Attendees can look forward to:
- Emergency Vehicle Display: We will also have an array of emergency vehicles
including Fire, Police, Ambulance, DocBike and BASICS Dorset (Critical Care).
Staff from each emergency service will also be present to answer any questions
and show how the resources are used in an emergency situation. - Life-Saving Skills: Community first responders and frontline staff will be
teaching CPR and demonstrating the use of defibrillators to the public. - Communal Marketplace: The communal marketplace outside the stadium will
be hosting 40 local stallholders selling items from craft to boutique items, food
and services. - Family Fun: A fully licensed stadium bar, music and food stalls will be open
throughout the festivities with half time competitions to keep the atmosphere
buzzing.
Why?
As two emergency services that work side by side every day it’s not just about bragging rights of who won. It’s about community, it’s about gratitude, and above all, it’s about making a difference for the charities that have our backs. This is our way to give even more back to the communities that we strive so hard to protect and ensure that the longevity of the charities that support us are protected from this economic climate.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available now via the official website and Ticket Tailor. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets before the day to secure discounted online pricing & to arrive early to soak up the pre-match atmosphere on the day. Whether fans are coming to cheer on a specific team, both teams or just the winning team, they are encouraged to make as much noise possible and support our charities at what is shaping up to be an amazing inaugural first year.
