- The agreement is part of the celebration of ACNUR’s 75th anniversary
- Among other actions, on Friday, January 30, the match between Eleven Eleven and Hexagon Team will feature refugee children as ball kids
Madrid, January 14, 2026 – The United Nations Refugee Agency (ACNUR/UNHCR) and GENERALI Hexagon Cup 2026 today announced a collaboration for the tournament’s third edition, which will take place at the Caja Mágica in Madrid from January 28 to February 1. This partnership aims to raise awareness about the situation of more than 117 million forcibly displaced people worldwide and to promote inclusion through sport.
On Friday, January 30, a charity match in support of ACNUR and refugees will be held, with Hexagon Team facing Eleven Eleven. This special match is part of the celebration of ACNUR’s 75th anniversary, an organization that for decades has protected and assisted those forced to flee war and persecution. The initiative will also be visible on court: during this match, the ball kids will be refugee children wearing ACNUR shirts.
In addition, throughout the tournament, a group of refugees will have the opportunity to experience the event from the inside: they will meet players, attend training sessions, and take part in activities designed to bring professional sport closer to the refugee community and to promote integration through padel.
“We are deeply grateful to Hexagon for its support, commitment, and solidarity,” said Paula Barrachina, ACNUR Spokesperson. “Sport is a powerful tool for integration, and this collaboration sends a clear message: refugees are not alone.”
For his part, Carlos Almazán, Director of Institutional Relations at Hexagon Cup, highlighted the importance of the tournament’s social commitment: “For us, it is essential that the Hexagon Cup is much more than a sporting event; we want to contribute to causes that make a real difference. ACNUR is a global reference in the protection of refugees, and we are pleased to do our part.”
Sport is a powerful tool for inclusion, capable of breaking down cultural, linguistic, and social barriers. Through sport, refugees find safe spaces in which to rebuild their lives, create support networks, and feel part of a community. Sport goes far beyond competition: it is a universal language that brings people together and generates real opportunities for integration, coexistence, and well-being.
The collaboration will include awareness actions during matches, audiovisual content on social media, and special messages throughout the tournament, in order to give visibility to the situation of displaced people worldwide.