EUSA hosted its 2026 bidding seminar, with interest from 12 countries ©EUSA

The European University Sports Association (EUSA) has received interest from 12 of its members in potentially bidding for the 2026 European Universities Games (EUG).

This was confirmed after the 2026 EUG bidding seminar, which explained the process for potential hosts of the Games. 

Interested hosts must submit their letter of intention by October 1 and the successful bid is set to be announced between March and April in 2022, following an evaluation visit of all candidate cities.

The 2026 programme will have 13 compulsory sports for men and women - badminton, basketball, 3x3 basketball, beach handball, beach volleyball, football, futsal, handball, karate, rowing, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

There will also be up to nine optional sports - chess, golf, judo, kickboxing, rugby sevens, sport climbing, orienteering, taekwondo and water polo.

EUSA discussed areas such as transfer of knowledge with potential bidders ©EUSA
EUSA discussed areas such as transfer of knowledge with potential bidders ©EUSA

Participants were welcomed to the seminar by EUSA President Adam Roczek and EUSA secretary general Matjaz Pecovnik, who gave an overview of the Games, mentioning its history, the development of the event and its legacy.

A detailed bidding process and characteristics of the European Universities Games were presented by EUSA sports manager Besim Aliti.

He also highlighted the support offered by EUSA through resources and activities such as the transfer of knowledge programme.

Aliti mentioned achievements of past hosts, as well as some experiences of these event organisers.