Prince William Cheers on Favorite Soccer Team in Surprise Night Out

The Prince of Wales was visibly animated in the stands as Aston Villa secured a 3-2 win over RB Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:39am

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Prince William, the Prince of Wales, made a surprise appearance at Aston Villa's UEFA Europa League match against RB Salzburg on January 29, 2026. The longtime Aston Villa supporter was visibly animated in the stands, throwing his hands to his face, cheering enthusiastically, and leaping from his seat as Villa secured a 3-2 victory, advancing to the Europa League round of 16. William's passion for his favorite team was unmistakable, though his son Prince George was notably absent, likely due to a school night.

Why it matters

Prince William's surprise appearance at the Aston Villa match highlights his long-standing passion for the sport and his commitment to passing down that love to his children, particularly his eldest son Prince George. As patron of the Football Association, William's enthusiasm for the game sets an example and helps to promote the sport's popularity, especially among younger generations.

The details

William was pictured watching the match alongside club leadership and his close friend Edward van Cutsem, a godson of King Charles. Van Cutsem's family has deep ties to the royal family, with his brothers serving as godparents to William's children. While Prince George has joined his father at several Aston Villa matches in recent years, he was absent this time, likely due to it being a school night.

  • Prince William made a surprise appearance at Aston Villa's January 29, 2026 UEFA Europa League match against RB Salzburg.

The players

Prince William

The Prince of Wales and a longtime Aston Villa supporter.

Edward van Cutsem

A close friend of Prince William and a godson of King Charles.

Prince George

Prince William's eldest son, who has joined his father at several Aston Villa matches in recent years.

Tyrone Mings

An Aston Villa player who scored the team's second goal in the match.

Aston Villa

An English professional soccer club that Prince William has supported for many years.

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What they’re saying

“Oh yes, he's loving it.”

— Prince William

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Prince William's passionate support for his beloved Aston Villa team, even during a midweek Europa League match, demonstrates the enduring power of sports to bring people together and create lasting memories, especially for royal families who often have to balance public duties with personal interests.