Special Olympics highlighting the power of inclusion in Budapest
Sunday, May 31, 2026
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As the European club season reached its climax at Hungary's Puskas Arena at the weekend, the inclusive spirit of the game was also on show at the UEFA Champions League Festival in Budapest, where Special Olympics helped bring its message of belonging, teamwork and opportunity to fans gathered for one of the biggest moments in the football calendar.
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That activity formed part of the 2026 Special Olympics European Football Week, a campaign that underlines football’s unique ability to unite people of all abilities to build more inclusive communities.
Held from 23 to 30 May, this year’s European Football Week welcomed more than 30,000 participants, with and without intellectual disabilities, across 300 events in 40 countries throughout Europe and Asia.
Across the week, activities included local "Come and Try" sessions, national football competitions, World Football Day celebrations on 25 May, EU-funded "I Coach Girls+" events, and activations linked to major football occasions – including the UEFA Champions League final.
The fan festival in the heart of the city offered an important platform to showcase the impact of Special Olympics to a wider audience as fans flocked to Budapest to see Paris Saint-Germain take on Arsenal.
UEFA has been a proud partner of Special Olympics for more than two decades, supporting its work through funding, visibility platforms, event activations and collaboration with national associations. Since European Football Week was established in 1999, that support has helped strengthen participation and raise the profile of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
"We are proud to have supported Special Olympics for more than two decades and are delighted to be part of their European Football Week," said Filippo Veglio, UEFA chief of social and environmental sustainability.
"At the heart of our long-standing partnership lies a simple yet significant objective: in football, everyone is welcome. Special Olympics’ outstanding work brings to life the ambition of our #FootbALL programme and approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, through which we strive to harness the unique power of our game to drive meaningful change in society."
At the heart of Special Olympics football is its inspiring "Unified" model, which brings players with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team. It is a powerful expression of inclusion in action, showing how football can foster understanding, friendship and a true sense of belonging.
Special Olympics Eurasia president and managing director Sven Albrecht said: "Football has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, and what we have seen in Budapest is the power of inclusion in action. Through our long-standing partnership with UEFA, we are proud to showcase how the beautiful game can unite people of all abilities. We are deeply grateful to UEFA for their continued support and commitment to making football a game for everyone."
Special Olympics’ activity in Budapest also reflects UEFA’s wider commitment to using our showpiece events to spotlight social and environmental sustainability initiatives. During the club competition finals, several social and environmental sustainability partners – including UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the IBSA blind football organisation – also benefited from opportunities to engage fans and showcase their important work.
The UEFA #FootbALL programme
UEFA’s #FootbALL programme is a wide-ranging initiative that promotes positive social change across Europe. It addresses issues such as discrimination, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability, uniting clubs, players, and fans under shared values and a love of the game. Through campaigns, partnerships, and events, #FootbALL aims to create a more inclusive game where everyone feels they belong, highlighting the sport's unique power to inspire, connect communities, and drive meaningful progress both on and off the pitch.