As the sun dipped beneath the terracotta rooftops of Lisbon, SoccerBible and adidas Football brought something truly special to life. On the eve of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, On A Plate made its European debut — and it did so with meaning, craft, and a deep sense of place.
Hosted at the Museu da Carris — a venue steeped in the city’s transport history — the night was a journey in itself. Tram carriages from another time stood proudly, their iron bones wrapped in candlelight, as Lisbon’s rich cultural heritage fused with modern football energy. Here, between these tracks of the past, a new narrative was being written — one that placed women’s football exactly where it belongs: front and centre, and celebrated in style.
This wasn’t just another dinner. It was a cultural gathering. A table laid with the stories, voices, and visions of the global game. Female-driven media platforms from every corner of the world took their seats. People who shape the conversation around the sport. Creatives, journalists, and tastemakers whose collective impact is helping to shift the football landscape into something more inclusive, expressive, and beautifully diverse.
The setting was unmistakably Portuguese — soulful, textured, and real. Traditional food and drink were served with pride, each dish a tribute to local heritage. From seafood rice that echoed the rhythms of the nearby Tagus River to sweet pastéis de nata that closed the meal with warmth, every plate added to the sense that this was something intimate, yet momentous. Every detail was intentional. Every moment felt earned.
The soundtrack to the evening came courtesy of Marta Pereira da Costa, the only professional female Portuguese guitarist in a traditionally male-dominated art form. Her performance cut through the air with authenticity and emotion — a reminder of the beauty found when boundaries are broken and barriers fall. In Marta, and in the women’s game more broadly, we see the same spirit: one of evolution, of pushing forward, of taking up space. What’s more, Arsenal’s Kyra Cooney-Cross also gave us an exclusive playlist that was played as a soundtrack to the evening.
adidas made this night possible — not just as a collaborator, but as a champion of progress. Their investment in the women’s side of the game isn’t a footnote; it’s foundational. From innovative boot designs tailored for women’s feet to landmark campaigns, brand partnerships, and grassroots initiatives — adidas has continued to demonstrate what authentic support looks like. Events like On A Plate speak to a broader truth: the brand isn’t just present in the moment, it’s helping define the future.
Visually, the night paid homage to both football and Lisbon’s artistic heritage. Custom-designed SoccerBible x adidas tiles — inspired by the intricate beauty of the city’s famed azulejos and the dynamic patterns of the Women’s Champions League Final ball — lined the tables and touched every corner of the space. They weren’t just decoration; they were conversation starters, collectible fragments of a cultural movement being built tile by tile.
As the final approached, the energy was undeniable. There was a real sense that history was about to be made — and that this dinner was part of it. A warm-up act to something bigger, yet just as meaningful in its intimacy. On A Plate: Lisbon wasn’t about spectacle for spectacle’s sake. It was about substance. A night that put community, craft, and culture at the centre of the conversation around women’s football.
This was a toast to the growth of the game. To its new vanguard. To the women who have fought — and continue to fight — for their place. To those who create, celebrate and elevate the sport every day. And to brands like adidas, who aren’t just riding the wave, but helping to build it.
Lisbon gave us the perfect stage. The Champions League Final gave us the perfect reason. And what unfolded was a moment that will live far beyond a single night. A new benchmark for how we honour the beautiful game. One plate at a time.
More to come from On A Plate – watch this space!
