Dear England Tickets

Football’s coming to the West End! Be part of the crowd for the next penalty shootout, and book Dear England tickets on TodayTix.

London Theatre raved about Dear England at the National Theatre in a five-star review, saying: “it’s our national story told with heart, humour and headers, and a beautiful celebration of an unlikely hero. Fiennes is definitely man of the match, but this is a joyful, and victorious, team effort.”

Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid’s Tale) stars as Gareth Southgate in this inspirational drama, depicting one manager’s journey to change the ethos of the beloved national football team. This gripping play, brought to the stage by playwright James Graham and director Rupert Goold, explores the years between 2016 to 2022 while referencing pivotal moments from the past 60 years of football.

Dear England goes beyond the battles on the pitch, delving into a clash of cultures within the team and the nation. Expect a night of camaraderie and laughter, as well as some conflict and emotional turmoil, to unfold in this highly anticipated West End transfer from the National Theatre. Watch as Southgate guides his team and the nation toward a new way of thinking and playing.

Did you know Dear England takes its title from an open letter Gareth Southgate wrote in 2021 to fans during the Euros? He wrote his thoughts on tolerance, inclusivity, and the significance of his squad's vocal engagement in social issues.

Brought to the stage by playwright James Graham (Quiz, Brexit: The Uncivil War), and under the skillful direction of Rupert Goold, Dear England is a wildly entertaining trip to the theatre for football fans and non-football fans alike. Following a critically acclaimed premiere at the National Theatre, the production will transfer to the West End’s Prince Edward Theatre for a limited time only.

Dear England examines the journey of the England men's football team under the guidance of Southgate, both in the lead-up to and aftermath of three pivotal tournaments. These tournaments include the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals in Russia, the 2020 UEFA Euro final at Wembley Stadium, and the quarterfinal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

What to Watch For

• Joseph Fiennes made his return to the National Theatre with Dear England, 20 years after he starred in Love Labour’s Lost in 2003.
• In what Marks & Spencer called “the Gareth Southgate effect,” waistcoat sales went up 35 percent during the 2018 FIFA World Cup as people rushed to buy replicas of the manager’s stylish sideline look.
• Dear England marks the first play at the Prince Edward Theatre in over 45 years. The venue has a capacity of 1,727 and usually accommodates musical productions.
• Fans reworked Atomic Kitten’s 2001 hit song “Whole Again” into a catchy ode to Southgate. The girl group later recorded and released their version of this ahead of the 2020 Euros semi-final titled, “Southgate You’re the One (Football’s Coming Home Again).