Sigma Champions League 2026: 15 Years of Passion, The Race for the Crown Begins

This year's tournament holds special significance as it marks the 15th anniversary of the Sigma Champions League. From the four teams that competed in its inaugural season in 2011 to the eight teams taking part today, the tournament has not only grown in scale but has also preserved countless cherished memories of camaraderie, team spirit and a shared passion for football across generations of Sigma employees.

Fifteen years is a long enough journey for players who once gave their all on the pitch to have moved beyond their sporting prime, while a new generation of young faces continues to emerge and write its own chapter. Some have been part of the tournament since its earliest seasons, while others are stepping into the competition for the very first time. Yet, they are all united by their love of the beautiful game. This continuity is what gives the Sigma Champions League its enduring vitality – a place where memories of youth are not left behind, but carried forward and renewed with every passing season.

Flag-raising ceremony for the Sigma Champions League 2026

Amid the vibrant atmosphere of this football celebration, the eight teams marched onto the ceremonial area, proudly displaying their team colours and determination. The presence of the Company's Board of Management, distinguished guests, the refereeing team, players and enthusiastic supporters created an atmosphere that was both solemn and exhilarating. The opening ceremony commenced with the flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the Vietnamese National Anthem, followed by the opening address delivered by Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc, General Director of Sigma Engineering Joint Stock Company and Head of the Tournament Organising Committee.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc, General Director of the company and Head of the Organising Committee, delivered the opening speech for the Sigma Champions League 2026

Reflecting on the inaugural season in 2011, Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc recalled how, after completing a full week of work, employees eagerly looked forward to the weekend and the chance to get back on the pitch. Neither rain nor wind could dampen their enthusiasm; some even rushed to make sure they would arrive in time for kick-off. The simple joy of playing football, standing shoulder to shoulder with teammates and cheering together on the pitch had become unforgettable memories.

Fifteen years on, players from the generations born in the 1970s and 1980s continue to take part alongside younger colleagues born in the 1990s and 2000s. For Sigma's captain at the helm, the tournament is far more than a sporting event. It is a meeting point between cherished memories of youth and the passion of the present, where different generations come together to create lasting emotions and unforgettable experiences.

Teams pose for souvenir photos before heading into the match

On Pitch No. 1, the clash between E1 and E3 opened the race for the championship, bringing together two teams with contrasting expectations. E1, a team with a proud track record, boasts a number of experienced players and is determined to reclaim the top spot. Meanwhile, E3 entered the season as the reigning 2025 champions, carrying the responsibility of defending their title against challengers equally hungry for victory.

The match between E1 and E3 ended with a dominant victory for Team E1

E1 wasted no time in asserting its intention to control the game, applying continuous pressure on its opponents. Experienced forwards such as Pham Thanh Hai, Tran Vinh Nam and Do Van Chinh helped establish E1's commanding presence on the pitch. Despite facing the reigning champions, E1 remained patient in executing its game plan and waited for the right opportunity. After a period of closely contested play, Le Hoang Long broke the deadlock in the closing minutes of the first half, giving E1 a crucial advantage heading into the break.

Conceding at such a critical moment put E3 under pressure to find an equaliser in the second half, while E1 gained further confidence to maintain its attacking momentum. Le Hoang Long struck again to make it 2-0 before completing his hat-trick just minutes later. With E3 still struggling to respond, Duong Van Hoan found the net less than a minute afterwards, sealing a convincing 4-0 victory for E1.

The four-goal victory not only gave E1 an excellent start to the campaign but also demonstrated the team's clinical finishing and ability to capitalise on decisive moments. Overcoming the reigning champions, this traditionally strong side sent a clear message about its ambitions to compete for the title. For E3, an opening-day defeat serves as a warning that defending the championship will be no easy task. The team will need to quickly rediscover its cohesion and form to get its title defence back on track.

Also on Pitch No. 1, E2 faced Safety in a match where the pre-game assessment favoured the more established team, widely regarded as having greater experience and composure. However, it was E2 that made the early impact. The yellow-shirted side started confidently and made the most of its opportunities, repeatedly putting its opponents on the back foot.

Safety produced an outstanding performance to equalize 3-3 against E2, bringing a thrilling end to a high-drama goal chase

Tran Ba Minh, wearing the No. 16 shirt, opened the scoring for E2. Shortly afterwards, team sponsor Duong Son Tung capitalised on a defensive lapse to double the lead, before the No. 13 player added a third goal. In a remarkably short period, Safety had gone from being the pre-match favourites to facing a three-goal deficit. The succession of goals exposed a shaky start from the red-shirted side, while E2 ruthlessly capitalised on its opponents' disorganisation to establish a commanding advantage.

Nevertheless, conceding three goals did not cause Safety to give up. Nguyen Vuong Tuan pulled one back to make it 3-1 before half-time, keeping hopes of a comeback alive. The goal was particularly important for the team's morale, giving Safety a clearer objective heading into the break rather than allowing the gap to widen further.

The complexion of the match gradually changed in the second half as Safety regained control and intensified its attacking pressure. Van Hiep reduced the deficit to 3-2, bringing the contest back to life. With the gap narrowed to just one goal, the psychological pressure increasingly shifted to E2, which had once enjoyed a comfortable lead but now faced the challenge of protecting its advantage. Then came the equaliser: Vuong Tuan completed his brace to make it 3-3, bringing an exhilarating comeback to its conclusion.

Having fought back from a three-goal deficit to earn a point, Safety demonstrated remarkable persistence and an ability to adjust its approach at the right moment. E2, meanwhile, will have plenty to regret after failing to protect its advantage despite such a promising start. The draw was a timely reminder of football's unpredictable nature: a strong opening can create an advantage, but securing victory requires concentration and composure until the final whistle.

On Pitch No. 2, M1 took on M2 in a contest between an ambitious side targeting a strong campaign and an opponent eager to spring a surprise. M1 entered the tournament with a blend of energetic young players and new additions recruited ahead of the competition, aiming to turn its potential into tangible results. M2, meanwhile, brought its own determination and attacking spirit, hoping to make an impact against a more highly rated opponent.

M1 delivered a brilliant performance to defeat M2 4-0, securing a full three points

M1 took the lead in the first half, giving the team a valuable platform from which to dictate the pace of the game. After the interval, M1 continued to increase the pressure, leaving its opponents with little room to turn the tide. Three more goals followed in the second half, scored by Doan Manh Duong, Duc Hau and Pham Van Dien, alongside Nguyen Minh Tri's earlier contribution, completing a commanding 4-0 victory for M1.

The emphatic result demonstrated M1's ability to convert opportunities and sustain pressure throughout the match. With a long season still ahead, securing three opening points provides an important platform for the team to approach its upcoming challenges with confidence. M2, meanwhile, will need to refine its tactics and strengthen team cohesion if it hopes to make a stronger impression in the rounds to come.

The opening day's final fixture saw M&S face M3. Having narrowly missed out on the championship last season, M&S entered the new campaign determined to improve its performance and strengthen its squad, particularly in defence. M3 also looked forward to a more promising season following several personnel changes, with the aim of proving its competitiveness against some of the tournament's most ambitious teams.

M&S wrapped up the opening match with a resounding 4-0 victory over the M3 boys

M&S started on the front foot, launching a series of attacking moves and putting M3's defence under sustained pressure. Although the team initially struggled to convert its dominance into goals, it remained patient in searching for openings. Xuan Truong eventually broke the deadlock, relieving the pressure and giving M&S greater confidence in its attacking play.

Building on that momentum, Van Diep doubled the lead, allowing M&S to head into half-time with a comfortable advantage. After the break, M&S continued to dominate rather than simply focusing on protecting its lead. Xuan Truong scored his second goal of the match to make it 3-0, before Dinh Huy added the fourth with approximately ten minutes remaining.

With Xuan Truong scoring twice, alongside goals from Van Diep and Dinh Huy, M&S delivered a convincing performance in its opening fixture. Four goals and a clean sheet gave the team an excellent start while providing a positive psychological boost for the campaign ahead. For M3, the opening defeat offers an opportunity to identify areas for improvement before the next round of matches.

The four opening fixtures delivered a variety of footballing narratives: E1 secured a convincing victory over the reigning champions; Safety fought back impressively from a three-goal deficit; while M1 and M&S both demonstrated their strength with emphatic wins. These opening results suggest that the race for the championship will be full of twists and turns, as every team brings its own strengths, ambitions and opportunities to write its own story.

Ultimately, the Sigma Champions League is remembered for far more than goals scored or positions in the standings. Over its 15-year journey, the tournament's greatest value lies in the people who continue to return to the pitch, the generations who come together as teammates and the memories that grow richer with every season. From the four teams of its early days to the eight teams competing today, the flame of passion has remained alive and continues to be passed on.

The Sigma Champions League 2026 is officially underway. The race for the championship is now open, with eight teams and eight different ambitions. Although there can only be one winner lifting the trophy, the spirit of teamwork, passion for football and meaningful connections forged throughout the journey are values shared by everyone – and they represent the enduring legacy that the Sigma football community has built over the past 15 years.