The Leipzig Science Cup saw some serious soccer action again last week, on May 20, 2026. The soccer tournament for Leipzig’s scientific institutions took place for the third time and was organized by the City of Leipzig’s Knowledge Policy Unit in collaboration with the Leipzig Science Network (LSN). The goal of the event is to bring together scientists from various institutions outside the lab, office, and lecture hall. A total of 17 teams took the field. The games were played on the SG LVB fields in southern Leipzig.

For the IOM, this year marked a first: the institute fielded its own team for the first time. After fielding a mixed team together with the UFZ in the past two years, this time the “Leibniz Surface Kickers” took the field. In a highly competitive group of five, the team put in a spirited performance and won two of their four group matches. Although they narrowly missed advancing to the knockout round in the end, the mood remained excellent.

After the sporting events, the team continued to talk shop, analyze the games, and, of course, discuss the best moments during a dinner together.

The Leipzig Science Cup offered all participants the opportunity to get to know colleagues from other scientific institutions in Leipzig while also strengthening team spirit within the institute. Above all, however, playing soccer together was great fun—and everyone is motivated for the next edition of the Leipzig Science Cup.