Here's a comprehensive guide to authenticating a 1966 World Cup Final programme (England v West Germany). Be aware there are three known reprints — from shortly after the match, 1970, and 1999 — plus modern facsimiles, so it pays to know what to look for.
Key Authentication Checks
1. Weight — the quickest test
The original issue weighs 130 grams, while reprints are significantly lighter at under 100 grams. If you have kitchen scales, this alone is a strong indicator. Footballprogrammes
2. Front cover colour
The original has a distinctive Chelsea blue on the front cover, and the lettering "England v West Germany" is also a slightly blueish colour — not black. The 1999 reprint has a noticeably darker blue tint to the Union Jack flag. SQaFFootballprogramme
3. Rear cover cigarette ad
The rear cover has an advert for "Cadets" cigarettes — the stripe on the packet should be red, not orange. Footballprogrammes
4. Interior cigarette ad (page 2)
On page two of the original, the Player's No.6 cigarette packet picture will have a two-tone black and white stripe. SQaF
5. Earl's tie (page 4)
On page four, the Earl's tie should have a distinct pattern to it — reprints render this as a flat dark colour without the pattern detail. Footballprogramme
6. Centre pages — Slazenger football ad
In the centre pages with the team line-ups, there is an advert for Slazenger footballs — on the original you should be able to read the writing on the ball clearly. Footballprogrammes
7. The staples
The size of the staples on a genuine original is exactly half an inch long. Footballprogramme
8. Two-section printing
The 1966 final programme was actually printed in two separate sections — the middle part (team line-ups) was done later because the printers didn't know who would be playing on the day. Reprints use the same paper throughout. On an original you may be able to detect a slight difference in paper stock between the sections. 10 Footballs
9. Signs of age
An original will show natural signs of ageing — possible fading of colours, less shiny paper, and edges that are less sharp than on a reprint. SQaF
For High-Value Purchases
If you're buying or selling for significant money, consider:
- Getting it weighed in person before purchase
- Consulting a specialist dealer such as those at footballprogrammes.com or collectsoccer.com who handle these regularly
- Professional third-party authentication — auction houses like Hansons or Christie's South Kensington handle sporting memorabilia and can provide provenance reports
A genuine original in good condition is valued at roughly £1,000, with signed examples fetching considerably more, so it's well worth the effort to verify properly.