Leah Williamson has been named a National Year of Reading ambassador as the 2026 campaign was formally launched at Emirates Stadium.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, launched the National Year of Reading’s Go All In campaign at the home of Arsenal Football Club on 13 January, with the event built around the message that reading can help people get more out of the things they already love.
Williamson was announced as one of the ambassadors for the launch, alongside Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, Jackie Kay, Chris Riddell, Harry Trevaldwyn, Lola Jaye, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Camilla Reid, Peter James, Billy Monger, Rob Biddulph and Kate Mosse.
The Arsenal captain said: “The Go All In campaign is a massive moment for literacy in this country. Football is all about moments too. It’s all about chances. Waiting for them to arise and taking them when they do.
“The National Year of Reading 2026 is YOUR chance to really Go All In on your passions by reading into them. So, seize the moment and take that chance. Pick up a book, listen to an audiobook, get stuck into articles on whatever you love. It all counts.
“Because if you’re into it, read into it.'”
Joanna Prior, Pan Macmillan chief executive and chair of The National Literacy Trust, attended the event in Islington and said: “Today felt like one of those rare moments where the energy in the room – or in this case, the stadium – actually matches the scale of the ambition. Standing at the home ground of Arsenal with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, we officially launched the National Year of Reading, with the support of some inspiring ambassadors.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset the culture around books in this country. We want to strip away the ‘shoulds’ and focus on making reading what it ought to be: relevant, accessible, and, above all, fun. Our ultimate aim this year is to bring reading to where culture is – whether that’s on a football pitch, a playground or a local community centre.”