From June 2-11, 2023, the SOCCA World Cup, the world championship of small-sided football, was held at Kennedyplatz in Essen. Forty national teams from five continents traveled to the city to compete in a stadium built specifically for the event, with a capacity of up to 3,000 spectators.

What an event it was! Over the course of the tournament, approximately 130,000 spectators visited the stadium, transforming it into a vibrant hub of celebration and friendship. It was an indescribable and unique experience that could only truly be understood by those who were there.