The tournament was dedicated to the defenders of Ukraine — everyone who stood up to defend our homeland. Participants included veterans, internally displaced persons from Donetsk, and those involved in combat operations.

With a farewell speech to the participants, the head of Mariupol District State Administration and district military administration, Oleksandr Panasenko, addressed them: "Honored guests, organizers, and participants. This tournament once again demonstrates that we are worth it, that we deserve a bright future, that everything should be good for us. On this day, we honor the memory of our defenders. Respect to them, respect to the veterans. May the stronger prevail on the field."

Among the honored guests were the head of Kalachivka Military Administration Volodymyr Matyash, the head of Sartana Military Administration Oleksandr Kurkchi, the head of Nikolayevka Military Administration Volodymyr Halabuzar, deputy mayor of Mariupol Mykhailo Ivchenko, deputy head of Mangush Military Administration Svitlana Lutsenko, manager of amateur and mass football at the Ukrainian Football Association Mar'yan Yaskevych, and first deputy of the Donetsk Oblast Football Association Oleg Zubarev.

Participants of the tournament:

— Mariupol District team;

— "City of Mariupol" team;

— "Kolos Donetsk" team;

— VPO Donetsk region team.

The first symbolic kick-off was given by veteran Yaroslav Palyohha, who was released from captivity in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Open Mariupol District Minifootball Cup-2026

Semifinals 

Mariupol District team — VPO Donetsk region team — 2:2 (penalties 2:0)

"City of Mariupol" — "Kolos Donetsk" — 4:2

Match for third place 

VPO Donetsk region team — "Kolos Donetsk" — 5:1

Final 

Mariupol District team — "City of Mariupol" — 6:2

It is worth noting that after the tournament, manager Mar'yan Yaskevych conducted a tour for children from VPO at the House of Football, where they visited the museum and learned many interesting things.