The festival in Kyiv was opened by a member of the UEFA Executive Committee and a member of the UEFA Mass Football Commission, Oleksandr Kadchenko, as well as the head of the amateur and mass football department at the UAF, Denis Suchoruk.

"The UAF is implementing this project for those girls and boys who do not play football, and we hope that children will come to football sections. The project takes place in most regions of Ukraine, many children of military personnel participate in it, and we are grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for giving us the opportunity to engage in football." — noted Oleksandr Kadchenko.

The children went through sports locations with developmental games and football master classes. The mascot Pesho Patron joined the activities, and before the football part there was a water-based makeup zone. All participants received festival t-shirts and caps from the UAF, souvenirs, and certificates, while schools received footballs and sports equipment.

Photo: Dan Balashov

About the project:

"Open Football Festivals" is a UAF project aimed at providing psychosocial support to children affected by the war through mass football. This is football for everyone, regardless of skill level or gender.

The project started with training volunteers and young leaders from communities. In autumn 2025, the UAF held the first block of 22 festivals in regions. For their participants who expressed a desire to try football, regular football section sessions were organized as well as events for youth football hubs created in communities. Today, the project has already involved 9,000 children, and in spring 2026 another 38 festivals are planned, which will engage more than 3,000 children.