Mark your calendars: One of Richmond’s most unique soccer traditions is returning to City Stadium.
The Henny Derby — an annual celebration of Black culture, community and soccer — returns Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Richmond Kickers take on Forward Madison FC. Festivities begin at 6 p.m., bringing together supporters from both clubs and Black soccer fans from across the country for an evening that blends professional soccer with the spirit of a Black cookout.
“It’s like an HBCU homecoming mixed with a professional soccer match,” said Henny Derby co-founder Elliot Barr. “It’s more than tailgating — it’s an experience. It’s a safe space for Black soccer fans, and two of the best fan bases in USL League One have made it something special.”
How the Henny Derby began
The tradition started in 2019 with a simple wager.
Before a Richmond Kickers match against Forward Madison, Barr (co-host of the RiverCity93 podcast and a member of the Kickers’ Red Army supporters group) sent a direct message to Kyle Carr (a leader of Forward Madison’s Black supporters’ group, the Featherstone Flamingos). The challenge was simple: Whichever club lost would send the winning supporter a bottle of cognac.
“The 2019 game was important,” Barr said. “Forward Madison was the new media darling, and I wanted to bring Black soccer supporters and our culture to the forefront while giving our fan base something fun to rally around.”
Richmond won the match and the supporters group got the cognac-themed trophy. What began as a friendly bet quickly became a tradition.
That first game also happened to be Heritage Night, giving the event even more significance. The club embraced the idea, and the Henny Derby has grown into one of the most distinctive supporter-led traditions in American soccer.
“When the schedule comes out, people immediately look for this game,” Barr said. “It’s truly the only match in U.S. soccer created by Black supporters, for Black supporters.”
Henny Derby trophy
More than a rivalry
While plenty of rivalries are fueled by animosity, the Henny Derby is built on community.
Fans from Richmond, Madison and cities across the country — including Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Boston and even the West Coast — travel to celebrate together. Before kickoff, supporters from both clubs gather for music, food and fun, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts soccer tailgate and Black family reunion.
“It really turns into a Black cookout experience,” Barr said. “Instead of separating the fan bases, everyone parties together before the match. It’s competitive on the field, but off the field it’s all about community.”
A night unlike any other
In addition to the Henny Derby festivities, the Aug. 29 match is also the Richmond Kickers’ annual Night at the Museums, a special matchday experience designed to celebrate Richmond’s vibrant arts and culture community while connecting local organizations with a broad and engaged audience. The Kickers will welcome over 15 different museums and educational organizations for fans to interact with first-hand, including the VMFA, Virginia Museum of History and Culture and the Science Museum of Virginia.
Whether you’re a longtime Kickers supporter or attending your first match, the Henny Derby offers a game-day experience unlike any other. Come for the soccer, stay for the music, food and community — and see firsthand why one friendly wager has grown into one of Richmond’s most beloved sports traditions.
For more information and tickets to the Henny Derby and the Night at the Museums night, click here.
