2026 UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup: All you need to know
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
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On 25 June, senior players from across the continent will convene at UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland, for the inaugural 2026 UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup and a celebration of lifelong participation, health, inclusion and community.
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As walking football continues to grow across Europe, the tournament will stand as a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that the game is accessible to everyone.
Designed to remove barriers associated with age, injury or mobility, walking football offers a safe, social and enjoyable way for older adults to stay active, connected and involved in the game they love. The upcoming tournament also provides a platform to showcase the work being done by national associations across Europe and to inspire even more organisations and players to take part.
UEFA's commitment: football at every age
Our support for walking football is rooted in a broader vision: increasing participation and promoting health and well-being through accessible football formats. By recognising walking football as a key pillar of grassroots and senior football development, we are helping national associations respond to demographic change, healthier ageing agendas and the growing demand for inclusive sport.
The 2026 UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup offers eight national associations – Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Spain – an opportunity to present their programmes on the European stage, exchange best practice and reinforce walking football as a sustainable, recognisable format within the football ecosystem.
To support this growth, we developed the UEFA Walking Football Toolkit, a practical resource designed to help associations, leagues and clubs launch and expand walking football programmes, whether recreational or competitive.
The toolkit provides guidance on rules, safety, organisation, coach education and promotion, offering a strong foundation for countries at every stage of development – from pilot projects to national competitions. Across Europe, positive impact is already being felt, as the examples below demonstrate.
Azerbaijan: Football as social care and connection
In Azerbaijan, walking football has been developed through a social partnership between the national association and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Delivered in a nursing home setting, the programme focuses on improving both physical activity and social well-being among elderly participants.
Coached sessions take place twice a week, with clear monitoring of attendance, activity levels and participant satisfaction. Beyond physical health, the programme emphasises connection, routine and joy. Plans are already in place to expand to additional locations and to introduce friendly matches and social events, showing how walking football can play a meaningful role within wider social-care frameworks.
Israel: National model for sustainable growth
Israel's walking football programme, launched in 2021, stands as one of Europe's most structured and rapidly growing examples. With over 500 active players, 25 teams and activity in 20 cities, the programme addresses a clear demand among older adults, with an average participant age of 62.
Player safety and quality are central, with adapted rules, goalkeepers, small-sided pitches and licensed coaches leading weekly sessions. Crucially, walking football is embedded within the Israeli FA's broader ecosystem, including national competitions, dedicated coach education pathways and partnerships that position football as a public health and well-being tool. The result is a scalable, sustainable model that offers valuable lessons for associations of all sizes.
Latvia: Building momentum through festivals
Latvia represents an emerging walking football nation, where early momentum is being built through festivals and grassroots enthusiasm. The country organised its first walking football festival last year, bringing together teams from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia – a landmark moment for the Baltic region.
The programme continues to grow, with new festivals planned near Riga and later in the historic city of Cēsis. Grassroots development is central to this progress, including regular training sessions for women aged 60+, many of whom are playing football for the first time. Latvia's experience highlights how walking football can act as a welcoming entry point into the game, even for those with no previous sporting background.
Norway: Club-based growth through trusted partnerships
Walking football has grown quickly throughout Norway thanks to a structured, partnership-led approach rooted in local clubs. In the Telemark region, the programme expanded from one to eight teams in a single year, driven by close cooperation with the Norwegian Pensioners' Association and practical support that helped clubs get started with equipment, kits and organisation.
A strong emphasis on quality and sustainability has underpinned this growth. Former referees have been retrained to support sessions, explain the adapted rules and act as ambassadors for the format, while new work with the Dementia Association and local authorities is helping make participation safe and accessible for people with early-stage dementia. Norway's experience shows how walking football can scale effectively when growth is anchored in trusted community structures and local champions.
Poland: Partnership-driven expansion
Poland's walking football journey reflects the power of strategic partnerships. Since launching its first initiatives in 2023, the Polish FA has combined tournaments, promotion and international exposure to raise awareness. In 2025, this evolved into a dedicated Walking Football Programme supporting clubs to create new sections in cooperation with NGOs and municipalities.
From over 110 applications, 15 clubs were selected for the first edition, with 13 launching regular weekly sessions and engaging more than 130 senior players. The programme is complemented by education on health and nutrition, underlining walking football's role in preventing social isolation and supporting healthy ageing.
Sweden: research-led growth rooted in the grassroots
In Sweden, walking football has expanded rapidly through focus on local clubs, districts and long-term sustainability. The community has grown from just one club in 2016 to more than 300 now, with new activities constantly taking shape across the country, with updated regulations, referee education and growing local competition structures.
What sets Sweden apart is the combination of practical development and research. Studies on health, brain function and social well-being reinforce what clubs are already seeing: walking football can improve health, reduce isolation, strengthen community ties and increase volunteer engagement. With positive media coverage and further plans to reach more women and new target groups, Sweden offers a strong example of inclusive, evidence-based growth.
Switzerland: Inclusion through low-threshold football
In Switzerland, walking football sits within a wider philosophy of low-threshold and inclusive football formats. Closely linked to the Swiss Olympic Just Play Festivals, the approach prioritises participation, social interaction and enjoyment over competition.
Walking football has become a valuable option for senior players and adults seeking a less intensive but still meaningful football experience. Sessions are often organised in partnership with local clubs and community organisations, ensuring accessibility and sustainability. By embedding walking football within a broader grassroots strategy, Switzerland demonstrates how the format can thrive as part of a holistic participation model.
How walking football fits into UEFA's wider sustainability activity
Walking football reflects how we view the game's wider role in society: not only as competition, but as a tool for healthier, longer and more connected lives. In our recently upgraded Strength Through Unity sustainability strategy, it sits within the Health & Well-being policy as a simple, inclusive way to keep older people active, engaged and part of the football community.
By continuing to promote walking football opportunities and its dedicated toolkit, we recognise the format's power to support physical activity, mental well-being and social connection, while helping member associations widen participation across generations through regular activity and future tournaments.