President of the Republic Alexander Stubb to serve as Patron of Helsinki Cup

The great long-standing tradition continues this year! The Head of State of Finland has served as the patron of the Helsinki Cup for decades. Following last year’s 50th-anniversary tournament, Alexander Stubb, the President of the Republic of Finland, will once again serve as the official patron for Helsinki Cup 2026.

This prestigious support shows the importance of the Helsinki Cup as a sports event and as a way to support the well-being of children and youth. As the tournament is held for the 51st time, President Stubb emphasizes the unifying power of sports and the importance of fair play in his official greeting.

You can read the President’s greeting in full below:

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND 

Helsinki Cup is a sure sign of summer. Once again, the tournament will fill the football fields of the Helsinki region for an entire week. 

Helsinki Cup is a fair-play tournament full of energy and positive vibes. This year marks the 51st edition of the event, now a well-established tradition. Over the years, Helsinki Cup has grown into a world-class youth football tournament, complete with a wide range of side events. For many children and young people, it is the most anticipated highlight of the summer, bringing joy through sport, togetherness and new friendships.

From the very beginning, the tournament has had an important goal: to promote physical activity and well-being among children and young people. The values of Helsinki Cup are built on tolerance, respect for others, community, equality, and internationality. These are important principles for all of us.

Every player is equally valuable, and above all, the participants are united by their love of the game. The most important thing is not winning, but playing together, having fun and creating shared experiences. Thank you to all of you who once again make this event possible and continue its valuable tradition. 

I wish all players, team staff, organisers and supporters a successful and enjoyable tournament in the spirit of fair play. To all teams, I wish you the very best of luck in your matches. 

Alexander Stubb 

President of the Republic of Finland 

Patron of the Helsinki Cup 2026