PREMIER LEAGUE mascots were put to the test in a crash course ahead of the wacky Red Bull Soapbox Race this year and Crystal Palace’s Pete the Eagle came out victorious.
It’s a victory for Palace which they will be looking to replicate in tonight’s Uefa Conference League final against Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano.
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Crystal Palace’s Pete the Eagle came out on topCredit: Refer to source
The mascots were put through their pacesCredit: Refer to source
Newcastle United, Fulham, Leeds, Aston Villa and Palace, who are all set to take part in the Red Bull Soapbox Race 2026, sent their mascots to be put through their paces.
They took on multiple challenges designed to get them ready for the downhill race taking place at Alexandra Palace on the 20th June.
A fiercely competitive battle pitted Monty and Maggie (Newcastle United), Billy the Badger (Fulham), Lucas the Kop Cat (Leeds), Hercules the Lion (Aston Villa) and Pete the Eagle (Crystal Palace) against each other.
And Pete the Eagle was crowned the inaugural Red Bull Soapbox Mascot Combine champion after leading the way with wins in the high jump, RedBull Soapbox push and the dizzy hurdle challenge.
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The combine, which featured six challenges in total – bar hang, high jump, dizzy hurdles, resistance band run, how’s your touch and the Soapbox push race, is the first of its kind involving Premier League teams.
The point of the crash course was to sharpen the mascots’ skills and prepare them for the potential perils of taking on the famous Soapbox course in front of a sold-out crowd.
The teams have also designed their own soapboxes, including nods to their rich histories and will be leaning on club legends to fly the flag, or in some cases, get behind the wheel to bring their vehicle safely across the finish line.
With more to be revealed about the main event soon, Crystal Palace can bask in the glory after winning the prelims of the mascot race.
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Palace fans have taken over Leipzig ahead of their Conference League final Credit: Reuters
And the Eagles will be hoping for more glory tonight as they face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.
Palace are big favourites to take the title – the bookies have them as short as 2-5 to become the third English team to win the competition.
Oliver Glasner will be hoping to leave the club with another trophy after leading them to FA Cup and Community Shield successes during his tenure.
In an interview ahead of the final Palace keeper Dean Henderson said: “we’ve delivered and we’re looking forward to delivering again.”
