Sports Day 2026: Celebrating Team Spirit, On And Off The Field

The end of summer means goodbye to the UK heatwave (finally!), so long to light-filled evenings and getting back to the school run. But at Verdantix, it also means the return of the annual institution that is Sports Day.

A highlight on the Verdantix calendar, it’s a chance to win bragging rights and for our international colleagues to be introduced to the very English game of rounders (think baseball, but easier).

And this year, the spirit of Sports Day reached beyond the park. For colleagues around the world who couldn't join us in person, we launched a global step challenge, tracking the number of steps taken over 22 days in August. Together, Verdantix employees clocked an incredible 5,363,572 steps, which is roughly 4,291km (or 2,666 miles) – that’s the equivalent of walking from London to Boston!  A special shout-out goes to the three employees who surpassed 300,000 steps, setting an impressive benchmark for us all.

Our UK team gathered in a London park for an afternoon of fun, teamwork and good-natured competition. New to the schedule this year was the three-legged race – equal parts coordination, trust and good-natured chaos – alongside the classic egg-and-spoon race and, of course, the sports day staple: tug of war.

Of course, not everything needs reinventing. Rounders remained firmly at the heart of the afternoon, a reminder that some traditions earn their place year after year.

Friendly rivalries were in full swing – tug of war in particular left its mark – but we're pleased to report a clean bill of health overall, with nothing more serious than a few bruised egos.

A huge thank you to our Social Committee for the time, care and creativity that went into organizing the day. Thanks to their efforts, colleagues enjoyed a brilliant afternoon together and, for those taking part in the global challenge, a very active August too.

Here’s to another successful Sports Day and plenty more team spirit, both on and off the field.