According to a post made on UEFA’s official X handle on the 5th of June 2026, the organisation highlighted the impact of the 2026 Special Olympics European Football Week, which took centre stage alongside the UEFA Champions League final celebrations in Budapest, where PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to win the UCL trophy.
UEFA’s statement:
Creating an inclusive game for all! Last week, we supported the @SpecialOlympics European Football Week with a special event at the #UCLfinal fan festival, joining 30,000+ participants across 40 countries who celebrated the campaign.
As the European club season reached its climax at the Puskás Aréna, Special Olympics delivered its message of inclusion, belonging and opportunity through activities at the UEFA Champions League Festival, engaging thousands of supporters gathered for one of football’s biggest events.
Held between 23 and 30 May, the initiative welcomed more than 30,000 participants with and without intellectual disabilities across 300 events in 40 countries throughout Europe and Asia. Softfootball gathered that Activities included football competitions, grassroots coaching programmes, World Football Day celebrations and fan engagement events linked to the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
UEFA also reiterated its long-standing partnership with Special Olympics, which has spanned more than two decades and continues to promote greater participation and visibility for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The governing body further highlighted the success of the Champions Innovate Programme, designed to create a lasting legacy from the Champions League final through innovation and grassroots football development.
