Down'Ard Martyn Taylor was clapped and cheered as he was carried to the Greenman pub after scoring on Tuesday evening
Theories have emerged over the two-hour disappearance of the ball on the first day
The Royal Shrovetide Football has taken place in Ashbourne every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday since at least 1667
The game has seen thousands of players in teams called the Up'Ards and Down'Ards compete to move the ball to opposite ends of the town
Farmers Dave Bott and Brian Pegg were given the honour of "turning the ball up" to get the game under way on each day
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
A large crowd has been pushing the ball to and fro at the open space near the brook off King Edward Street.
The ball has been both airborne and at the bottom of a pile-on at various points.
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Remember that lovely paintwork tribute to turner upper David Bott?
That's a thing of the past now, as this glimpse of the ball near the supermarket shows.
Image source, ReutersHeidi Booth
Journalist, Ashbourne
Today is all about being prepared - spectators are sometimes outside for eight hours following the ball.
For most, this might mean a warm coat and sensible shoes, but for Bradley Clowes, 25, it's all about making sure he stays hydrated.
That's why he's come today with a beer belt, six cans of beer strapped to his waist.
He's lived in Ashbourne all his life, he is an Up'Ard, has played in the past and says he's got the shirt. For him, today is about having fun and a drink with his friends.
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
The hug appears to have come to a bit of a standstill, close to a large bush at the entrance to Sainsbury's.
Image source, ReutersHeidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
The ball is now on Compton, south of the river.
And it appears that it is headed slowly towards Sainsbury's.
This would put the Down'Ards on the front foot - but it's very even still.
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
"I'm on cloud nine you just cannot describe the feeling, it's like 10 Christmases have come at once."
David Bott, 73, has been describing the honour of being asked to start the game by turning up the ball.
He says turning up the ball is the "absolute pinnacle for an Ashbournian".
Mr Bott, who has lived in Ashbourne his entire life, says his "jaw dropped to his chest" when he was asked to turn up the ball this year.
He has been playing Shrovetide football for most of his life but never had the opportunity to goal the ball.
Mr Ball said he was close one year, but had to leave to milk his herd.
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
A few people seem to be gathering by the brook off Dig Street.
It looks like people are expecting the hug to go into the river.
Kacper Misiarz
BBC News, Ashbourne
I’ve already seen two people treated by medics here in the first 20 minutes.
A St John Ambulance is stationed on the scene.
One man was being wheeled away in a wheelchair after doing his knee within 10 minutes.
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
The hug has travelled from the Greenman to the Coach and Horses.
Shouts of encouragement for the Down'Ards can be heard.
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Play is currently still very much in the centre of town.
It's currently on St John Street, only around the corner from Shawcroft where it started more than an hour ago.
The throng is not moving far at all from the front of the Greenman pub at the moment.
Image source, Adam Vaughan/EPA-EFE/Rex/Shutterstock
Alex Thorp
BBC News, East Midlands
This was the moment the ball was turned up at this year's Royal Shrovetide Football match.
Farmer David Bott took to the plinth and did the honours at 14:00 GMT, marking the start of the two-day game.
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
It's quite possibly the biggest two days of the year here in Ashbourne.
And it's been absolute chaos - good chaos of course.
But above all, it's a really, really important part of the community.
Image source, ReutersOnce that ball gets into the crowd, it looks like a mosh pit at a gig - all these people swirling around like water going down a plughole.
To be honest you can't see the ball once it's in the crowd, I've been trying to stand as far back as I can.
Everybody's so excited here, everyone's wearing these big woolly jumpers with Up'Ard or Down'Ard on the back. And it is a day for beverages, lots of people spilling out into the streets with drinks in hand.
It's such a glorious sunny day I thought people would be saying the weather's turned out for us, this is great - but people have been telling me they love the mud, the rain, the snow.
Apparently the worse the weather, the better the day.
Image source, ReutersIsaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Image source, ReutersHere's the moment the 2025 game got under way.
The ball was turned up by farmer David Bott.
The play then made its way around the car park, reportedly lapping the plinth, before heading towards the Market Place.
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Every year there are countless injuries from players.
Expect bruises, scratches or maybe even broken bones over the two days - especially on Ash Wednesday when the game heads towards its conclusion.
Historian Tim Baker, who is also the official Shrovetide ball painter, previously told the BBC: "This type of game can't be played without injury – everyone plays at their own risk.
“Things can get quite harsh on the day if tempers fray, especially if they've been in the pub a little while before, but it's a friendly rivalry. If you're in the hug and someone's biting your hand, and you don't know who's doing it and you turn round and thump him on the head and it turns out to be your best mate… well, that's just unfortunate."
Image source, ReutersHeidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
"It's the biggest two days of the year by a long shot," says Tom Shannon.
The 62-year-old is getting into the swing of things with a pint in the sunshine.
Mr Shannon lives in Ashbourne and is an Up'Ard.
Despite living here for 20 years though, he says he still doesn't take part because he doesn't feel like a local.
He said the atmosphere in Ashbourne when things get under way is a "cross between excitement and carnage".
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Following a rendition of the national anthem, the 2025 Royal Shrovetide Football has now been turned up.
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
Farmer David Bott, who has lived in Ashbourne all of his life, has the ball in hand at the plinth in Shawcroft.
Thousands of players and spectators listen to the rules of play which are being announced using huge speakers.
We're almost under way.
Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne
Ahead of the game's start, some people have already gathered in the Shawcroft car park where the ball is turned up.
Kohei Kamiyama, 30, and his colleagues Adam Pigott, 34, and Yuki Sato, 31, are all here to film for Japanese television company TV Asahi.
Their footage will be watched by viewers in Japan.
Mr Kamiyama says it is "far from how Japanese people imagine football to be".
Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Up’Ards and Down’Ards don’t get to choose their sides.
Ashbourne is split down the middle by Henmore Brook, and your allegiances lie with people on your side of the river - Up’Ards in the north, and Down’Ards to the south.
Up’Ards aim for the Sturston Mill goal, and Down’Ards are targeting the Clifton Mill end.
So friends, families, coworkers can for two days become sworn enemies.
Image source, ReutersIsaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby
Spectators from outside of the town are welcome to come and watch.
There’s also lots of media attention, from across the globe.
We've been speaking with TV crews from Japan here today.
But visitors are warned in no uncertain terms - don’t get in the way, and probably think carefully about where to park your car (see below).
Nevertheless, as the BBC’s Secret Derbyshire podcast explains, it remains “a local game for local people”.
