UEFA Foundation creates special memories at Champions League final in Budapest
At the 2026 UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Foundation gave children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to meet the players and accompany them onto the pitch during the opening ceremony.
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final in Budapest, contested by Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, once again demonstrated football's unique ability to unite, inspire and create lasting social impact.
The UEFA Foundation was proud to welcome three inspiring local partners to the final – Second Chance Sports Association, Amigos for Children Foundation and Inter Campus.
Second Chance uses football to support disadvantaged young people in Budapest, helping them build confidence and motivation, while Amigos for Children brings joy and learning opportunities to children undergoing long-term medical treatment.
Inter Campus promotes inclusion across Europe through football, combating discrimination, encouraging intercultural dialogue and supporting minority communities. Its initiatives in Hungary include regular football sessions at an orphanage in Budapest.
Unforgettable moments on football's biggest stage
With the support of our partners FedEx, Mastercard and Qatar Airways, children from our partner organisations enjoyed a once‑in‑a‑lifetime Champions League final experience in Budapest.
Throughout the week, they attended the finalists’ official training sessions, giving them the chance to watch Europe’s biggest stars prepare for the match. They also met players, collected autographs and created unforgettable memories at one of world football’s most iconic events.
On matchday, some of the children took centre stage as they stepped onto the pitch during the opening and closing ceremonies, experiencing the atmosphere from the heart of the action.
Zsombi - closing ceremony participant
After the final whistle, nine‑year‑old Zsombi stepped onto the big stage and accompanied UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to present the players’ medals during the trophy ceremony.
Zsombi is both a passionate football fan and a dedicated violin player. He first met Amigos volunteers after undergoing surgery at Bethesda Children’s Hospital. His role in the closing ceremony reflects the programme’s wider mission: creating meaningful experiences that help children reconnect with their interests, their confidence, and their communities.
A lasting legacy in Budapest
As part of the celebrations in Budapest, our partner PepsiCo and Lay’s inaugurated the latest Lay's RePlay pitch in the city.
Accompanied by a dedicated social impact programme involving Second Chance Sports Association, the new pitch will provide a safe and inclusive space where local young people can access sport and community activities throughout the year.
This will be the 13th RePlay pitch delivered by the UEFA Foundation and Lay’s since 2021. The others are in South Africa, Brazil, the UK, the US, Italy Mexico, Egypt, Türkiye, Spain, Colombia and Portugal.
Eleven years of impact – with more to come
Since 2015, the UEFA Foundation for Children has worked to turn football into a tool for social impact. In its first decade, it supported 765 projects in 156 countries, improving the lives of over 4.9 million children. Today, 166 initiatives continue to use the power of sport to promote education, health, inclusion and personal development.
As the UEFA Foundation enters its next decade, its mission remains clear: to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, can dream, grow and find their place through football.