Northern Flags Festival returns to Rochdale this weekend
Two action-packed days of lacrosse are set to take place this weekend as the Northern Flags Festival returns to Rochdale Lacrosse Club with teams from across the region competing for top honours in one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April, a massive 20 titles will be competed for across a range of age groups from U11 up to senior level.
The annual festival marks the finale of the knockout competitions for men’s and women’s club teams across the North of England, with a full slate of junior and senior matchups showcasing the best of the region’s talents.
The Men’s Senior Flags final will see reigning champions Poynton face Timperley as they look to end the season with a trophy after missing out on the Premier league title by just four points.
The Blackbirds only lost four games this season but that includes a 20-8 defeat against Sunday’s opponents Timperley who finished sixth in the league.
In contrast to Poynton, who have five titles to their name, Timperley are hunting a first ever Senior Flags title after losing their only previous final appearance to Heaton Mersey in 1993.
In the Women’s Senior Flags, Timperley join their men’s team in the final as they take on perennial winners Oxton who secured the women’s league title in impressive fashion after winning all 18 of their games this season.
Oxton pulled off a huge result after defeating champions for the past two years Stockport 11-8 in their semi-final match.
Timperley had an equally impressive semi-final win as they overcame last year’s finalists Mellor 13-11 to set up the showpiece tie with Oxton.
In their two league meetings this season, Oxton came away with two wins and an aggregate score of 33-10, highlighting the hill Timperley have to climb if they are to be named 2025/26 Flags champions.
The Flags Festival this year continues to champion the women’s and girls’ matches across the weekend, now with nine women’s lacrosse finals to take place from the U11s through to the Women’s Senior Flags alongside the 11 Mens’ and Boys’ finals.
Spectator entry for each day:
Adults £8 (weekend pass £14)
Ages 12-16 £5 (weekend pass £8)
Under 12s FREE
Official car parking is also available onsite at £2.
Rochdale Lacrosse Club, Bridgefold Road, Rochdale, OL11 5BS
Players and coaches of teams participating in the games will be admitted free of charge and all tickets can be bought on the day with cash or card.
Northern Soul Lacrosse, UK Lacrosse, and the Senior England Men’s Fundraising Group will all have merchandising stands in the central area where food and drink will also be available throughout the weekend.
2026 Northern Flags Festival full schedule:
Saturday 25 April
09:30 | Girls U15 Plate | Mellor v Timperley
10:00 | Boys U16 Cup | Heaton Mersey v Cheadle/Stockport
11:30 | Girls U13 Cup | Cheadle/Stockport v Timperley
12:00 | Boys U14 Plate | Timperley v Brooklands
13:30 | Girls U15 Cup | Oxton Purple v Heaton Mersey or Boardman
14:00 | David Beesley Cup | Poynton A v Timperley A
15:30 | Women’s Junior Flags | Brooklands v Sheffield
16:00 | Men's Junior Flags | Wilmslow v Sheffield
Sunday 26 April
09:30 | Girls U13 Plate | Heaton Mersey v Mellor/Norbury
09:30 | Boys U12 Plate | Timperley v Brooklands
10:00 | Girls U11 Plate | Stockport v Timperley
10:00 | Boys U12 Cup | Mellor v Stockport
11:30 | Girls U18 Cup | Timperley v Oxton Purple
11:30 | Boys U16 Plate | Poynton v Mellor/Sheffield
12:00 | Girls U18 Plate | Norbury v Stockport
12:00 | Nigel Wayne Trophy | Mellor B v Heaton Mersey B
13:30 | Girls U11 Cup | Heaton Mersey v Mellor
14:00 | Boys U14 Cup | Poynton v Mellor
15:30 | Women’s Senior Flags | Timperley v Oxton
16:00 | Men's Senior Flags | Poynton v Timperley