The first round of the 2026 Ukrainian Amputee Football Super League has concluded at the Sofiivskyi Sports and Cultural Complex. Three matchdays, eight teams, two days of competition - and a league table that already promises an intense battle all the way to the final.
Matches were broadcast on the Ukrainian Association of Football’s YouTube channel and the MEGOGO media service.
Representatives of government institutions, partners, and the diplomatic community gathered for the Super League opening ceremony. Team representatives also addressed the audience on behalf of each club.
Opening remarks were delivered by Olena Balbek, Director of Strategic Development and Sustainability of the Ukrainian Association of Football and CEO of the UAF Foundation:
“Over the past year, the League of the Mighty has taken a major step forward - today it unites more than 800 players, coaches, referees, and team staff, as well as thousands of supporters. UAF President Andriy Shevchenko and the association’s representatives consistently highlight the League of the Mighty at the international level - during official meetings, national team matches, working visits, and discussions with partners. We are sincerely grateful to everyone involved in this project. Without your support, this would not have been possible. I wish the players inspiring and strong matches!”
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Serhii Tymofieiev:
“For the Ministry, it is a priority that in every community, in every local district, coaches work with all segments of the population. Sport must be accessible to everyone!”
Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Ruslan Prykhodko:
“We have already become a big family - and that is the most important thing. Every meeting shows how quickly this movement is growing and how many people it brings together. Looking at all of you today, there is no doubt: this football has a future.”
Representative of the German Embassy, Lisa Heike:
“The fact that Ukraine is creating and developing amputee football during wartime deserves the highest respect. And it is already being recognized internationally. Thanks to initiatives like the League of the Mighty, clubs in different cities, and new teams joining, something much bigger than sport is being formed - a community that supports, strengthens, and opens new opportunities.”
Director for Public Sector Cooperation Development in Ukraine and Eastern Europe at Mastercard, Kostiantyn Koshelenko:
“For the third year, Oschadbank together with Mastercard has been supporting the League of the Mighty - and for us, this is about equal opportunities and the systematic development of an inclusive society. It is a great honor for us to be part of this project, as it is a powerful example of resilience, leadership, and a benchmark for the entire country. We thank everyone who is developing this initiative and wish the players exciting football.”
Head of the Center for Cooperation with Military and Veterans at MHP, Mariia Mievsha:
“We support this championship because it is about creating opportunities - for recovery, for helping veterans return to active life. Sport is one of the most effective tools for both physical and mental rehabilitation. Through sport, a person regains energy, confidence, and a sense of community. That is why, within the ‘MHP Poruch’ program, we consistently support such initiatives.”
After three matchdays, the leader of the Super League is Pokrova AMP from Lviv - the reigning champion has confidently confirmed its class.
In second place are the Crusaders from Lutsk, with only a minimal gap from the leaders. Bartka from Ivano-Frankivsk sits in third place with five points.
Kolos Burevii and Shakhtar Stalevi follow with equal records. MSC Dnipro is sixth with three points. Metalist 1925 Nezlamni is seventh, one point behind. The table is rounded out by the Vikings from Ternopil - Super League newcomers still without points.
Bartka, the 2025 First League champion, has burst into the Super League leaders from the very first round, proving its rapid rise is no coincidence.
For the first time in the history of the amputee football championship, a dedicated studio was launched as part of the broadcast, accompanying each matchday.
The studio was hosted by Alina Sandul, Head of Media for the League of the Mighty and Communications Specialist for UAF social projects.
The studio covered amputee football, teams, and players, analyzed matches, and discussed the league’s development. Guests included:
Bohdan Melnyk, Development Manager of the League of the Mighty
Olena Balbek, UAF Director of Strategic Development
Kostiantyn Koshelenko, Mastercard representative
The first round concluded with a studio session featuring commentator Daniil Vereitin, who reviewed matches and summarized the round.
The final day of the first round coincided with Palm Sunday. Players supported a traditional Ukrainian custom by greeting each other with willow branches, establishing a new championship tradition.
The Lutsk Crusaders took the field with a new logo and new kit. On April 22–26, they will represent Ukraine in the EAFF European League 2026.
Pokrova AMP captain Yurii Sush celebrated his goal in a special way - placing the ball under his shirt, as his family is expecting a child.
On April 25–26, Khmelnytskyi will host the first round of the First League, where ten teams - six of them debutants - will take part in official competitions for the first time.
On May 2–3, the Super League will continue with Round 2 in Lutsk.
All matches are available on the UAF YouTube channel and MEGOGO.
The championship is organized by the Ukrainian Association of Football and the UAF Foundation with the support of: the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine; the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine; the Agency for Mass Sport of Ukraine.
Exclusive partners of the League of the Mighty: Mastercard and Oschadbank.
Official partners: Lvivske, SOCAR Ukraine, Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation.
Project partners: MEGOGO, adidas, and MHP Poruch.
The Ukrainian Association of Football also expresses gratitude to: Andrii Mykhalchuk, Head of Youth and Sports Department of Kyiv Regional State Administration; Olha Kosmachevska, Director of the Sofiivskyi Complex; Oles Kudryk, Head of Borshchahivka Community.
