The controversial leader of Reform UK visited Portman Road while he was in Suffolk to attend a rally at Trinity Park. The visit has infuriated some fans who have criticised the club, claiming it was an endorsement of Mr Farage.
The Reform leader released a video of himself enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, showing him in the changing rooms, on the pitch side, at the tunnel and in the manager’s seat in the press area.
When the backlash started, club sources claimed they did not personally invite Mr Farage to the stadium and that Portman Road Events, which manages private tours, had taken a booking on behalf of Reform.
It is understood that Reform didn’t use the party or Mr Farage’s name when initially booking the private tour online and the club was unaware who had made the booking until a later time.
But Reform UK sources contradicted this statement, saying Mr Farage had been invited to the club.
Ipswich sources then backtracked, saying the club had been involved in the visit, which Reform had privately paid for. They said Mr Farage and his media team had been accredited by the club ahead of the tour.
However, they pointed out that the Reform leader had not been given any team shirts and that these were purchased by the party.
Head of Ipswich Town communications Marcus Nash flatly denied claims made by Ipswich.co.uk that he met Farage at the gate.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon by Ipswich Town following Mr Farage’s Monday visit, the club said: “Ipswich Town Football Club has, over several years, hosted representatives from a range of political parties.
“The club remains apolitical and does not support or endorse any individual or party. The club will continue to engage with representatives from across the political spectrum as part of its role within the community.
“Ipswich Town is proud to be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming organisation that supports all members of the local and wider community. This commitment remains unchanged.”
Best of luck to Ipswich Town Football Club for the rest of the season. 
pic.twitter.com/WmrGYJrpru
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) March 24, 2026
Photos and videos of the visit were posted on both Farage’s and Reform UK’s social media channels, generating national discussion and frustration from Town fans.
Business and council leaders were among those “disappointed and sick” by the stunt.
Joe Bailey, CEO of Brighten the Corners and season ticket holder, posted on LinkedIn saying: “I have no articulate words to explain how utterly disappointed and sick I’m feeling right now.
“The club is complicit in this, and just by saying ‘we’re apolitical’ is not acceptable. You have been used, as we have.
“As the motto now reads ‘falling into adversity’.”
Nigel Farage visited Portman Road (Image: Reform UK)
Ipswich Borough Councillor Alasdair Ross said on X: “Very upset they Farage and Reform have been able to use our football club for publicity the same week we celebrated Ipswich Town Foundation day – the sort of work Farage would call ‘woke’.”
Kevin Craig, founder of PLMR, added: “Very confused that the board of Ipswich Town have hesitated and are still hesitating to let a local business (mine) become a regional sponsor (and give thousands of pounds to ITFC Foundation) because they are worried about “being political” and then this happens.
“I am afraid it makes the club look politically aligned at the worst, or naive/disjointed at best.
“Sad as feel very invested in the club and its mission and values.”
Ipswich Fans Supporting Foodbanks took to X to say: “People in Ipswich are relying on foodbanks to survive. Meanwhile, we see PR for Farage and a party claiming people can live on 30p meals.
Nigel Farage visited Portman Road (Image: Reform UK)
“”No official involvement” from Ipswich is no excuse. Football should stand with its community, not platform division”.
Birketts, one of the club’s sponsors whose logo appears in the background of one of Farage’s pictures, declined to comment at the moment, with other local companies Fleximize, HALO and MSC also being approached.
Farage said: “It was an honour to visit Portman Road as part of my local election tour.”
The club released a statement which said: “Ipswich Town Football Club has, over several years, hosted representatives from a range of political parties.
“The club remains apolitical and does not support or endorse any individual or party.
“The club will continue to engage with representatives from across the political spectrum as part of its role within the community.
“Ipswich Town is proud to be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming organisation that supports all members of the local and wider community. This commitment remains unchanged.”
One female fan raised issue with the fact that Farage would seek to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights, which could have “serious implications for women’s rights and protections.”
Nigel Farage visited Portman Road (Image: Reform UK)
She said: “For the club to extend hospitality to someone advocating for policies that could weaken fundamental protections for women feels deeply at offs with the environment of respect, safety and inclusion that I have always believed ITFC stands for.”
Others were quick to repost a video from 2021 of Ipswich Town welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Portman Road and share the inclusion and anti-discrimination page on the club’s website.
Ipswich’s rivals Norwich City also poked fun at the club, posting on X saying: “Book a stadium tour of Carrow Road. Terms and conditions will most definitely apply”. Farage responded to this with “see you next week” followed by a wink emoji.
Farage’s visit has also captured the attention of national figures and media outlets, with many pointing out that Farage previously said in 2021: “Keep politics out of football”.