Vienna Inclusion Derby: A celebration of the joy of football!

Vienna Inclusion Derby: A celebration of the joy of football!

On June 17, 2025, the third Vienna inclusion derby took place in the Allianz Stadium in Vienna-Hütteldorf. Under the motto “Together instead of against each other”, players from SK Rapid and Wiener Austria competed against each other in mixed teams. The event was initiated by Coca-Cola and was the first of its kind to be held at the Allianz Stadium, a real highlight for everyone involved. Around the kick-off at 5:00 p.m., fans streamed into the stadium from 4:00 p.m. to cheer on the colorful teams.

Referee Sala Telek led the exciting game, which consisted of two halves of 20 minutes each. Particular attention was not paid to the result, but rather to the shared experience and enjoyment of football. Team Red, dressed in the colors Rapid, lost 2:4 against Team White, where Rapid managing director Steffen Hofmann and singer Cesar Sampson were among others on the field, but the real winner was integration.

A day of joy

While the numbers on the scoreboard would be crucial in a normal football game, in the inclusion derby it was the laughter of the participants and the enthusiasm in the stadium that took center stage. Hofmann emphasized exactly this when he praised the smiling faces of the actors. “It was an unforgettable day where we all came together to celebrate sport and community,” he said after the game.

The proceeds from the event will benefit the special needs teams of both clubs and Special Olympics Austria. This not only promotes sport, but also sends a strong signal for inclusion. This commitment is not only a contribution to a sporting event, but also an important step towards a fairer society.

Inclusion in football

Similar initiatives also take place in other places in Austria. The UNIQA Panther Cup tournament recently took place in Innsbruck, where teams from Tyrol and Vorarlberg came together to show off their skills. These events are all about community, respect and the joy of the game, as was the case with the inclusion derby. It is pleasing to see that such formats are becoming increasingly popular and offer the athletes involved a platform to express themselves and support each other.

While the balls were rolling in Hütteldorf, the message was clear: football unites – no matter what your abilities. The inclusion derby wasn't just a game; it was a celebration of diversity and togetherness. In a world that demands solidarity more than ever, such events make a valuable statement.

Hopefully there will be a continuation for those who missed the event - the anticipation for the next inclusion derby is already great!

For more information you can visit the reports kicker.at, skrapid.at and specialolympics.at read up.