Slovakia celebrates UEFA Grassroots Week with Lidl football festival
Friday, October 2, 2026
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Held as part of UEFA Grassroots Week 2026, the Lidl football festival in Prešov brought children, families and players of different abilities together for a celebration of football and healthy living.
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Throughout UEFA Grassroots Week, the power of grassroots football to bring people together and inspire healthier lifestyles has been on show across Europe.
Taking place every year alongside the European Week of Sport, Grassroots Week showcases the impact of football at every level and highlights the contribution of those who make the game accessible and enjoyable for all.
In Slovakia, the Slovak Football Association (SFZ) welcomed hundreds of participants to Prešov equestrian centre on 26 September for a celebration of football, inclusion and healthy eating, with support from UEFA strategic partner Lidl.
As well as football matches throughout the day, there was music, family entertainment and expert talks, making the event accessible to the wider community as well as those already involved in football.
Partnering for a stronger grassroots game
In 2026, the companies of Schwarz Group became UEFA’s first strategic Corporate Partner, bringing the expertise of Lidl and PreZero to initiatives across grassroots football, conscious nutrition and sustainability.
As a sponsor of UEFA Grassroots and UEFA Take Care, Lidl is helping to promote active, healthy lifestyles across Europe, and as exclusive partner of UEFA Football in Schools, ensuring children build healthy habits as they start their football journey.
Opportunities for everyone
On the pitch, Under-8 and Under-9 teams competed in the Lidl Cup, with children as young as four getting the opportunity to play. An Under-14 girls’ regional team also took part, alongside adult players.
“We are delighted that the idea of combining grassroots football tournaments with culture and entertainment for the whole family resonated with the public and attracted thousands of visitors. We believe this is also one of the ways to bring football, especially children's football, closer to the widest possible audience,” said Lukáš Donoval, Marketing Director of the Slovak Football Association (SFZ).
The programme included games for children from residential care homes, players with cerebral palsy and Special Olympics athletes, while a walking football demonstration highlighted another way to stay involved in the game.
“Such events are the essence of grassroots football,” said SFZ grassroots coordinator Cyril Janoško, who highlighted the ambition to bring similar festivals to other regions.
Football and conscious nutrition
The festival’s wider programme encouraged families to explore the connection between sport and well-being. Expert discussions covered nutrition, physiotherapy and young athletes’ development, while visitors could try sporting challenges and enjoy live music performances.
By providing fresh fruit alongside the football, Lidl linked enjoyment of the game with conscious nutrition, encouraging children and families to make informed food choices.
“We built the event on three pillars: sport, culture and expert knowledge,” said SFZ technical director Oto Brunegraf.
Supporting grassroots participation
Lidl’s support for Slovak football extends to women’s football, youth football and further grassroots initiatives, including Dajme spolu gól and the School Cup, which bring football into schools and communities, giving more children the opportunity to enjoy the game.
Through its contribution to UEFA Grassroots Week 2026, the Prešov festival showed how a national association and our partners can bring this approach to life locally, offering families different ways to play, learn and spend time together.