Walking football: Keeping the game growing across Europe
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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Slower pace, same passion. On International Day of Older Persons, we celebrate walking football, a format helping older people stay active, social and connected through the joy of the game.
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As the world celebrates the International Day of Older Persons, we shine a light on walking football, an inclusive and rapidly growing format that keeps older participants active, connected and enjoying the game they love. Its rise was showcased at the 2026 UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup, held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, in June.
The inaugural edition of the tournament brought together players from across Europe for a celebration of football, friendship and healthy ageing – and highlighted the many ways the game can help people remain active, connected and engaged throughout later life.
What is walking football?
Walking football is a version of association football whose rules have been modified to promote health and safety. Although walking football can be played by anyone, it is perfect for older people and people with mobility issues who, regardless of their level of fitness or condition, want a moderate-intensity physical activity to keep them active and safe.
The rules
- No running: No running with or without the ball. Players must walk and always have one foot on the ground.
- No physical contact: In order to reduce the risk of injury, no physical contact is allowed (non-contact sport).
- No offside: In order to simplify the game, no offside rules apply.
- No heading: In order to reduce the risk of injury, no heading is allowed.
- Indirect freekicks: All free-kicks must be indirect, and opponents must be at least 3m away from the ball.
- Limited height of play: The ball must not be played above crossbar height.
First-ever Walking football EURO Cup
Walking football has grown rapidly across Europe in recent years, largely through the efforts of national associations and clubs adapting the game to the needs and circumstances of their communities.
The Walking Football EURO Cup brought that growing community together for the first time in a European competition. For the participants, it was an opportunity to compete at an international level, but also to meet people from other countries who share the same passion for football.
To go further
The tournament showed that the value of walking football goes well beyond the time spent on the pitch. The stories captured during the EURO Cup offer a powerful insight into the human side of the game: how football can bring people together, create lasting friendships and offer both support and the joy of competition.
Feedback and practical experience from the EURO Cup helped UEFA identify areas where the existing Laws of the Game would benefit from further clarification. The updated Laws are now available as part of the UEFA Walking Football Toolkit.
By fostering collaboration, sharing experiences and promoting good practices, we aim to strengthen the walking football community and support the continued growth and sustainability of the game across Europe.