Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz
Football stands as the most beloved team sport among Special Olympics athletes across Europe and Eurasia, and UEFA’s support has been instrumental in elevating these opportunities ever since the establishment of our partnership in 1999.
Thanks to our partners, Special Olympics not only sustains its robust football programs but also enhances their quality, ensuring that every athlete can experience the very best the sport has to offer. And 2025 was no exception.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: “UEFA is deeply honoured to join Special Olympics in celebrating the 25th anniversary of European Football Week. This milestone is a sincere tribute to the spirit of inclusion and a reminder that football truly belongs to each of us. It is a moment to celebrate the true heroes and those who support them behind the scenes: the teachers, coaches, families and volunteers whose unwavering support makes such moments a reality. Through their quiet leadership and tireless work, they are making the world a better place. And for that, we offer our heartfelt gratitude.”
Photo by Pablo Dondero
Within the frame of European Football Week, UEFA has sustained our local programming with their staunch commitment to inclusive football but it also offered an incredible platform for our athletes to shine, by inviting Special Olympics at UEFA Fan Festivals in Spain, Portugal and Poland. This recognition put our movement at the forefront of international football and was a wonderful opportunity for Special Olympics footballers to showcase their skills and bravery. Needless to say, the excitement ran high!
In occasion of the UEFA Europe League 2025 Final in Bilbao, a group of Special Olympics footballers had the pleasure of playing a demonstrative match at the Fan Festival ahead of the Championship match, but what made the experience truly unforgettable was the surprise visit of football legend Aritz Aduriz—who met our athletes and signed a jersey for the lucky ones!
“It is important that Special Olympics is present at big events like this because it gives visibility to inclusion”, said Special Olympics Spain footballer Edurne Gonzalez.
“It shows that sport is for everyone and encourages other people with disabilities to join us.”
Photo by Ricardo Felipe de Silva Moura
A huge football celebration took place in Lisbon, too.
Special Olympics Portugal organized a training camp ahead of the Fan Festival where a group of Special Olympics footballers took time to enhance their skills and strengthen their team spirit ahead of the big game.
At the Fan Festival, they hosted both a traditional and a Unified football tournament, and two lucky women’s football teams had a chance to play a demo match in front of the crowds. They even brought along a cake to celebrate the 25th anniversary of European Football Week with our UEFA partners!
“Today I enjoyed coming to play football and having the tournament with my colleagues from other teams and I think it was very good,” commented Rita Lopes, Special Olympics Portgual football player.
“We’re trying to get more teams to play with us and it’s a virtue for other institutions to have exchanges with us and to play games with us and I think that’s very good for us.”
Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz
To conclude the triad of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia programmes at the UEFA Fan Festival, Special Olympics Poland was also invited to play a demo match ahead of the UEFA Conference League Final in Wrocław, Poland.
The Fan Festival took place in the main market square of town, and in the morning ahead of the Conference League Final, two Special Olympics Poland teams launched into an engaging 5-a-side football match that had all spectators stop by to cheer on our athletes!
Wiktor Redelbach, Special Olympics Poland footballer shared with us the excitement of the day: “What I liked best of today was the possibility of showcasing my skills in the main market square of Wrocław.”
“There were crowds of Betis and Chealsea supporters singing and dancing and they could all see us!”, he continued. “We wanted to demonstrate to everyone that we can play football, too!”.
