Chelsea make landmark BSL signing
Chelsea have announced a new initiative with Cadbury that will see British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters at all men’s and women’s home fixtures for the 2025/26 season.
In a first for the Premier League and Women’s Super League, BSL interpreters will be present on-screen for all domestic and European matches at both Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow Stadiums. The provision will be led by Performance Interpreting Ltd.
The move is part of the ‘Sign with Fingers’ campaign, a collaboration between the club, Cadbury, the Chelsea Deaf Supporters Group, and the National Deaf Children’s Society. It aims to promote greater inclusion for deaf fan communities, following research that revealed 60% of the population find it difficult to communicate with someone who is deaf.
Alongside the matchday interpreters, the initiative will see BSL interpreters attend the clubs’ fan forums, adding to the BSL-led stadium tours established last season. Learning resources will also be distributed across matchday media and club digital platforms.
Dean Humphreys, Head of the Chelsea FC Deaf Supporters Group, said, “It’s fantastic to have a full provision for BSL interpreters at all the club’s matches and stadiums for the coming season. Being able to communicate with the club fully means so much to deaf Chelsea fans, and I am so proud that both sides are providing this service – a first in both the Premier League and Women’s Super League. It’s a great win for all of us.”
Dan McEwan, Director of Partnerships for Chelsea Football Club, said, “This important initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to make our stadiums accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all. By enhancing our provision for the deaf community, we’re helping even more of the Chelsea family engage with and enjoy every moment of a matchday — from pre-match build-up to the final whistle.
“The deaf community is an important part of our wider fanbase, and this initiative reflects our journey to better understand and meet the needs of all our supporters.”
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