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Football lovers will get to showcase their skills on the top stage when the 2024 Subbuteo World Cup comes to Tunbridge Wells this month.

Returning to its birthplace, the iconic tabletop football game’s top competition kicks off on Friday 20 September and concludes on Sunday 22 September.

Teams from across the world will battle it out, performing their best flicks and saves as they vie to win the coveted trophy.

The event starts with the Subbuteo World Cup individual event at Royal Victoria Shopping Centre between 9am and 6pm on the Friday.

The following day, the Eland Cables FISTF World Cup individual events will be held at the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre from 8am to 8pm, while the Subbuteo World Cup team event takes place at the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre between 10am and 5pm. There will also be the Subbuteo Flats World Cup individual event staged at the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre from 9am to 6pm.

On Sunday, the Eland Cables FISTF World Cup team event takes place at the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre from 8am to 8pm, while the Subbuteo World Cup Family Fun Day is held at the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre between 9am and 6pm.

The Family Fun Day is open to all ages and abilities, with expert players on hand to coach and guide newcomers.

Visitors can delve deeper into the game’s rich heritage with a special must-see exhibition, where they can see Subbuteo memorabilia firsthand, as well as talks, behind-the-scenes tour and a walking tour organised by The Amelia Scott.

The Amelia Scott will also be hosting open pitches for anyone to play a friendly match throughout the tournament.

Entry to the event is free.

There will also be a Subbuteo Goal Shoot game at 20 business locations dotted around Tunbridge Wells during September.

Visitors should also keep their eyes peeled for 100 hidden Subbuteo figures scattered around Tunbridge Wells.The hunt starts today with daily hints on Royal Tunbridge Wells Together’s Instagram and Facebook pages to track them down.

RTW Together is also offering 10 chances to win a £20 Fenwick voucher. Every day between today and September 22, the team will be hiding a giant Subbuteo figure around the town centre. To enter the competition, take a selfie with the figurine and post it on social media (being sure to tag @RTWTogether).

And don’t forget the Small Subbuteo figurine hunt! Keep your eyes peeled for 100 hidden Subbuteo figurines scattered around Royal Tunbridge Wells!

Want to know the best part? You get to keep these mini figurines as a souvenir.

Follow daily hints on RTWT’s social media to track them down. The hunt gets underway on Friday 13 September.

The first ten people to find the figurine will be entered into a prize draw with a new randomly selected winner announced each day!

Subbuteo was invented in 1947 by Peter Adolph in Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells. The game’s name is derived from the Latin name for the Eurasian hobby, a swift bird of prey.

Adolph’s initial design featured cardboard players on circular bases with lead weights.

Over the years, Subbuteo evolved with the introduction of three-dimensional plastic players, different playing surfaces and accessories.