On Saturday, December 20, on the occasion of the Olympiacos–Kifisia match at the G. Karaiskakis Stadium, Olympiacos FC, in collaboration with its major sponsor Stoiximan, implemented for the second consecutive year a special initiative dedicated to acceptance and equal participation.
The initiative, jointly designed and carried out with TheHappyAct—an organization with many years of experience in supporting neurodiverse individuals—focused on creating a safe, friendly, and accessible environment inside the stadium. The Stoiximan Suite was transformed into a sensory-friendly space and hosted neurodiverse individuals, enabling them to enjoy the match experience with comfort and safety.
Attending a football match involves intense stimuli—noise, lights, and large crowds—which for many are part of the atmosphere, but for individuals with sensory processing challenges can become a barrier to participation. For this reason, the initiative focused on sensory accessibility in hospitality, through practical interventions and support tailored to the needs of the guests.
As part of the initiative, provisions included noise-cancelling headphones, adjustable lighting, sensory equipment for regulation and calm, as well as the presence of trained staff who supported the flow of the experience and enhanced the sense of safety and familiarity within the space.
A special highlight of the initiative was the visit to the suite by Olympiacos goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis, the club’s Strategic Advisor and Ambassador Christian Karembeu, as well as Olympiacos women’s team players Konstantina Mylona and Maria Sofia Mougiou. They spent time with the guests, exchanged smiles, and helped create a warm, human experience that showcased the power of inclusion through simple yet meaningful moments.
At the same time, guests had the opportunity to step onto the pitch alongside Christian Karembeu and Stoiximan’s Commercial Director, Kostas Diorelis, experiencing firsthand a moment that is not a given for many families. In a symbolic gesture, using special headphones for better noise management, the stadium “embraced” the message of the initiative, reaffirming that participation becomes reality when barriers are lifted.
“Inclusion is not a slogan—it is action. Together with Olympiacos, we configured the Stoiximan Suite as a sensory-friendly space, so that neurodiverse individuals could experience the match with comfort, safety, and joy. And most importantly, to truly feel part of the stands and the overall experience, while also having the opportunity to step onto the pitch,” said Kostas Diorelis, Commercial Director of Stoiximan.
Depy Koxenoglou, Head of Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility at Olympiacos FC, stated: “Olympiacos FC stands for the belief that football is for everyone. Through our joint initiative with Stoiximan, we want to send the message that our stadiums must be spaces of acceptance and entertainment, providing safety and equal opportunities. Supporting neurodiverse individuals is not merely a social initiative, but a commitment to listening to and respecting the needs of every person. Diversity is not an obstacle—it is a strength.”
Through this initiative, Olympiacos and Stoiximan reaffirm that in football, as in life, there is a place for everyone in the game.
