Six2Six Soccerthon (2007–2022+): What’s the Story?

Every year on the weekend before Thanksgiving there is a 12-hour Soccerthon held in Newtown Connecticut. The unusual event, known to the players as “Six2Six,” was dreamed up by a group of local soccer fanatics as a way to raise funds for local non-profits. Since the early days, the organizers have experienced their share of ups and downs. Most recently, a lost year due to the global pandemic. Yet, like its passionate organizers, Six2Six has managed to keep on kicking. In 2014, they joined forces with Futbol Friends a local non-profit that sources and sends soccer equipment to children around the world, to sharpen the mission and impact of the event. So, who are these original organizers, how has Six2Six stuck around all these years, and where is it headed next?

Here is a write-up from the events co-inventor himself, Peter Chapman.

The idea was cooked up in 2007 when a group of local soccer players decided to play a continuous 12-hour game from 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening (hence the name, six2six). We weren’t foolish enough to think that anyone would play for the full 12 hours (though a few hardy souls did), but just wanted to keep a game going throughout the day as people came and went. We held that first one outdoors, at Hollow Park in Woodbury, on Columbus Day weekend, thinking it would be nice and cool by mid-October; we were wrong, with noontime temperatures touching 90 degrees. But it was a great success, and we raised close to $3,000 for local charities and food banks. We had three sponsors that first year.

The next year we got truly ambitious and planned a 24-hour indoor marathon in New Milford. In the end, we only got the field for 22 hours so didn't quite make the full 6.00 to 6.00, but it was another highly successful and enjoyable event.

But I think that one must have worn us out, as we didn't hold another six2six marathon until 2014, which is when FFI got involved with the event. We kept to the same successful formula, this time another 12-hour event held at NYA in Newtown. And this is where we've played ever since. The event has grown steadily every year, to the point that we are now consistently getting 150 participants (of all ages) and at last count we had close to 40 sponsors. In all, we've raised close to $50,000 for FFI projects throughout the world…as well as hundreds of bags of nonperishable food and household supplies for local food banks.

As the event has grown, we have encouraged more youngsters to play, reserving one field for a couple of hours for boys and girls from 6 to 14 years old (don't worry, we break them down into age-appropriate groups). We also hold an O-60 hour (or more) for the er…more mature players, and one year we tried our hand at walking football (which met with mixed success: you try telling 20-year-olds that they couldn't run!)

So this year we'll be back again, with the same tried-and-true formula. Participants can donate to play for one or two hours or, the most popular option, for the full 12 hours. Everyone who plays gets to select an event shirt. We always have two different colors in multiple sizes from kids to XXL (not that any of us need one that large!) I know the first two colors we chose for the 2007 event were white and red, and we've gone through pretty much every color in the rainbow since then (one of the old-timers proudly owns--and wears--every one of the six2six shirts we've ever offered; right Tom?).

We very much hope that you'll be able to join us for this year's event!