Old Trafford hosts first Vaisakhi celebration

Over 90 members, local residents and club colleagues enjoyed an evening learning about Sikh heritage, sharing food as a community and enjoying Kirtan music.

It was a truly special evening for the club and guests in attendance, hosted in a space overlooking the pitch, highlighting the positive power of football in bringing communities together, as one united family.

Vaisakhi is a festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa and is a time of reflection, renewal, and community.

The evening opened with introductions from Rick McGagh, director of fan engagement, and Preetam Ghuman, founder of the Stretford Sikhs, followed by a short presentation on the meaning of Vaisakhi and the virtues of Sikhism.

Guests assembled for the Kirtan, a spiritual and unifying musical recitation, involving acoustic instruments, singing and chanting, and rounding off a great evening with food.

Rick McGagh, director of fan engagement, said:

“Vaisakhi is not only a moment of celebration, but also one of reflection - on community, inclusivity, and standing together. Hosting Manchester United's first ever Vaisakhi event at Old Trafford, a place known around the world for bringing people together through football, makes this occasion even more special.

"We are very proud to have a global network of official supporters’ clubs with over 360 clubs across 95 countries and to be from a city that is renowned for its diversity and inclusivity. 

“I would like to thank the Stretford Sikhs for all their hard work and collaboration in planning the event and we look forward to continuing to work with them to deliver more memorable experiences for their members."

The Vaisakhi celebration also marked one year since the formation of our Stretford Sikhs supporters’ club. And what a year it has been, now with over 200 active members and over 12,000 strong following online.

Last season, our Stretford Sikhs supporters’ club hosted a Langar community kitchen on the stadium footprint at Old Trafford.

The supporters’ club regularly hosts matchday meet-ups for members pre-game and has a global reach engaging with supporters around the world.

Preetam Ghuman, secretary of Stretford Sikhs, said:

“What a journey it’s been. In just 12 months, we’ve grown from an idea into a global community bringing members together through football, faith, and seva. From hosting our very first Langar to making history with the first ever Kirtan at Old Trafford, this year has been nothing short of incredible.

We’ve connected with supporters from around the world, built something meaningful, and shown the power of unity and community spirit. And this is only the beginning.

We’re excited for what’s ahead and hope to continue working with Manchester United to create even bigger and better opportunities for our community. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far.”

Join the Stretford Sikhs community; to find out more follow on X or Instagram.