National Year of Reading 2026 kicks off at the Emirates Stadium

We are incredibly proud to announce that our ambassadors for the launch of the National Year of Reading's Go All In campaign are Leah Williamson, Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, Jackie Kay, Chris Riddell, Harry Trevaldwyn, Lola Jaye, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Camilla Reid, Peter James, Billy Monger, Rob Biddulph and Kate Mosse.

Women’s Super League star Leah Williamson said:

'The Go All In campaign is a massive moment for literacy in this country. Football is all about moments too. It’s all about chances. Waiting for them to arise and taking them when they do. The National Year of Reading 2026 is YOUR chance to really Go All In on your passions by reading into them. So, seize the moment and take that chance. Pick up a book, listen to an audiobook, get stuck into articles on whatever you love. It all counts.

Because if you’re into it, read into it.'

Jordan Glover, co-author of Leah Williamson’s The Wonder Team adventure book series led a workshop with 60 year 4-6 students, with all of them receiving a book to take home.

The National Year of Reading is a vital movement designed to embed reading in our culture. The campaign asks the UK to ‘Go All In’ on reading by showing that books are the ultimate way to dive deeper into what people already love.

‘Seize the moment and take that chance. Pick up a book, listen to an audiobook, get stuck into articles on whatever you love. It all counts.’

— Leah Williamson, CBE

Pan Macmillan CEO and Chair of The National Literacy Trust, Joanna Prior attended the event in Islington and commented:

'Today felt like one of those rare moments where the energy in the room—or in this case, the stadium - actually matches the scale of the ambition. Standing at the home ground of Arsenal with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, we officially launched the National Year of Reading, with the support of some inspiring ambassadors.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset the culture around books in this country. We want to strip away the 'shoulds' and focus on making reading what it ought to be: relevant, accessible, and, above all, fun. Our ultimate aim this year is to bring reading to where culture is - whether that's on a football pitch, a playground or a local community centre.'

‘This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset the culture around books in this country. We want to strip away the 'shoulds' and focus on making reading what it ought to be: relevant, accessible, and, above all, fun.’

— Pan Macmillan CEO and Chair of The National Literacy Trust, Joanna Prior OBE

Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said:  

'Some of my happiest childhood memories are of reading with my grandad, getting lost in The Chronicles of Narnia together. I want every child to feel that same joy, whether their passion is football, fantasy, or physics.

Reading unlocks so much of children’s education, which is why reversing the decline in reading for pleasure must become a national mission.

Through the National Year of Reading and our Plan for Change we are making sure every child and young person has access to a wide range of books, alongside supporting families to make space for shared reading to give children the best start in life.

I’m asking families across the country to read together for just 10 minutes a day. It’s a simple step that can lay the foundations for strong literacy skills, helping kids to be school ready and on track to achieve and thrive.'

‘Whether it’s a baby experiencing the magic of a picture book for the first time, a family listening to an audiobook on the school run, a teenager immersed in fan fiction or an adult reading the football pages on their commute, reading is for everyone.’

— Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas CBE

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: 

'The National Year of Reading provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people’s life stories. With incredible ambassadors, events and partnerships at the fore, the National Year of Reading aims to inspire every child, young person and adult to go all in on their passions, feed their curiosities and connect with others through reading, throughout 2026 and beyond.

Working with communities and cultural partners, libraries, businesses and schools up and down the country there will be hundreds of ways to get involved with the National Year of Reading.

Whether it’s a baby experiencing the magic of a picture book for the first time, a family listening to an audiobook on the school run, a teenager immersed in fan fiction or an adult reading the football pages on their commute, reading is for everyone.'

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