The King's Baton Comes to London as part of London Sports Festival

On 26 May 2026, Paternoster Square became the setting for one of the most memorable days in the London Sports Festival calendar, as the Team England leg of the King's Baton Relay arrived in the heart of the City of London.

The day was brought to you by Central London Alliance as part of London Sports Festival, in partnership with Blue Orchid Hospitality and with support from the City of London Corporation, Book It Please, and Paternoster Square.

A Ceremonial Arrival

The day began at St Paul's Cathedral, where the Team England Baton was carried up the iconic steps by Jamell Anderson - Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and Team England 3x3 Basketball player - alongside three fellow Team England athletes. The Baton was formally received by The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett of St Paul's Cathedral and the Sheriff and Deputy Keith Bottomley of the City of London, before being blessed in a symbolic moment recognising unity and international friendship through sport.

From St Paul's, the Baton progressed to Temple Bar, where a traditional carpet guard and pikemen procession ceremonially admitted it into the City of London. It then made its way to Paternoster Square, passing through a crowd of children from local charities and community clubs, before taking centre stage on a specially installed 3x3 basketball court — with the dome of St Paul's as its backdrop.

3x3 Basketball court popped up in Paternoster Square

What followed was exactly what London Sports Festival is built to deliver - sport that is open to everyone in the capital, regardless of age or ability.

England Coach Julius Joseph MBE ran free junior coaching sessions for local schools and charities from 11am, before opening competitions with free giveaways for members of the public. London Titans, alongside members of Wheelchair Basketball England, delivered free 3x3 wheelchair basketball sessions throughout the afternoon, including a dedicated session for Whizz Kidz.

The Team England athletes on the day included Jamell Anderson, who carried the Baton into the City, a Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist from Birmingham 2022 and Gold Coast 2018. Shanice Beckford-Norton and Cheridene Green, both Silver Medallists from Birmingham 2022, were also present alongside Ashley Hamilton, a professional 3x3 player and Team England selection contender for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The courts opened for public play, before the Corporate Challenge brought businesses from across the city together for a fast-paced and competitive close to the afternoon.

Tony Matharu, founder and Chairman of Central London Alliance, captured the spirit of it well:

"This is a truly special moment for London, bringing together tradition, sport and community in the heart of the City. By transforming and animating central London's unique spaces into places of celebration and vibrancy, we're creating opportunities to connect people, place and purpose."

John Steele, Chair of the Team England board, reflected on how the day epitomised everything the King's Baton Relay stands for - sport's ability to inspire and unify communities, from London to every corner of the country.

3x3 Basketball Returns This July

Yesterday was a taster of what is to come. 3x3 basketball returns to Paternoster Square for nearly three weeks this July as part of London Sports Festival 2026, and if the energy of 26 May is anything to go by, it is going to be worth being there for.

London Sports Festival runs across the capital's most iconic locations through to October 2026. Find the full programme at londonsportsfestival.com.

Planning a visit to London this summer? Blue Orchid Hospitality, headline partner of London Sports Festival 2026, offers three distinctive properties in central London - The Wellington Hotel in Westminster, Tower Suites with its spectacular views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and Tower Residences for those wanting the independence of a private apartment in the heart of the city. All three are bookable through Book It Please.

Book Blue Orchid Hospitality properties and find hotels across London at bookitplease.com/hotels