Rethymno Hosts the TUI Socca Champions League 2026!

The World Comes to Play

Get ready for the ultimate football festival! From October 15 to 20, 2026, Rethymno transforms into the global capital of mini-football, welcoming over 100 teams from 5 continents, alongside Euro 2004 Greek legends.

If you are visiting Rethymno this October, you are in for a spectacular treat. The historic "City of Letters and Arts" is once again putting on its football boots to host the TUI Socca Champions League and the Socca Aegean Cup .

For the third consecutive year—and the fifth time in history—the International Socca Federation (ISF) has chosen Rethymno’s beautiful coastal setting as the home for its most prestigious 6-a-side football tournaments.

Backed by the tourism giant TUI, this year’s festival is bigger, more inclusive, and more exciting than ever before, turning our city into a vibrant hub of global sportsmanship, culture, and entertainment.

A Six-Day Global Football Fiesta

From October 15th to October 20th , the stadiums of Sochora and Misiria (right by the sea) will pulse with the energy of thousands of athletes and fans. The 2026 festival is a holistic, multi-generational celebration featuring four distinct major tournaments:

TUI Socca Champions League (Oct 15-18): The crown jewel of the festival. Over 100 top club teams from more than 40 countries across all five continents will battle it out for global glory.

Men’s Socca Aegean Cup (Oct 19-20): High-stakes international football featuring the National Men's teams of Greece, Croatia, Serbia, and Georgia.

Women's Aegean Cup (Oct 19-20): Showcasing incredible talent as the National Women's teams of Greece, Germany, Poland, and Lebanon compete for the cup.

Socca Diamonds Cup (Oct 17-18): A brand new, official international developmental tournament for Under-10 and Under-12 age groups, featuring 16 teams from around the world, including China.

Meet the Legends: Euro 2004 Champions in Rethymno

The excitement on the pitch will be matched by the star power on the sidelines! Two absolute legends of Greek football, Angelos Charisteas and Takis Fyssas , will attend the festival as official ambassadors.

Both men were key players in the Greek National Team that famously won the 2004 European Championship. Charisteas, who scored the historic, golden winning goal against Portugal in the 2004 final, returns to Rethymno for the second year. Fyssas, currently the Vice-President of Panathinaikos FC, will be experiencing the magic of the Rethymno festival for the first time. Their presence promises to inspire both the young athletes and the thousands of fans in attendance.

Why Rethymno? A Partnership of Tourism and Sport

The decision to repeatedly host the Socca Champions League in Rethymno is no accident. The city offers a perfect blend of high-quality sports infrastructure, world-class hospitality, and breathtaking Mediterranean scenery.

This massive sporting event is fully supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization, the Region of Crete, and the Municipality of Rethymno. It is a shining example of how sports tourism brings people from all corners of the earth together in friendship and fair play.

Experience the Action Live or Online

Whether you are a die-hard football fan or a visitor looking for an electric atmosphere, you are welcome to join the crowds at the stadiums in Sochora and Misiria. The fast-paced, high-scoring nature of 6-a-side football guarantees constant entertainment!

If you cannot make it to the stadium, the world will still be watching. The matches will be broadcast globally by over 30 international TV networks and domestically via COSMOTE TV. You can also follow live match progress, stats, and videos on the official website: www.socca-cl.com .

Everyone is invited to come and experience the incredible atmosphere, enjoy top-quality sport, and cheer on teams from all over the globe. Don't miss this fantastic celebration of international mini-football