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European Capitals of Sport

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European Capital of Sport
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, 2026 European Capital of Sport
Awarded forPromotion of sport at municipal level
Sponsored byACES Europe
CountryEurope
First award2001
Websitehttp://aceseurope.eu/ Edit this on Wikidata

European Capital of Sport is a title awarded annually by the 'European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation' (ACES Europe) to a city in Europe with more than 500,000 inhabitants.[1] The award recognises European cities that demonstrate a strong commitment to sport, healthy lifestyle, and development of sports infrastructure and participation. The title is awarded for a period of one calendar year.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][excessive citations]

Selection criteria

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Cities are evaluated based on several criteria, including:[1]

  • Sports infrastructure
  • Level of participation in sport
  • Promotion of healthy lifestyles
  • Organisation of sporting events
  • Social integration through sport

History and designation

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Established in 2001 by ACES Europe, the award is recognised by the European Commission and operates through a formalised bidding and evaluation process comparable to major international sporting designations.[11] Independent coverage highlights that cities use the title to drive investment, increase participation in physical activity, and enhance social inclusion and public health outcomes.[11] The designation is also linked to urban regeneration, international sporting events, and increased grassroots participation.[12][13] The programme has contributed to public and private investment in sports infrastructure and policy across European municipalities, reinforcing its role as a transnational framework for promoting sport as a tool for economic development, social cohesion, and health policy.[14]

Winners by year

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YearCityCountryRef
2001Madrid Spain
2002Stockholm Sweden
2003Glasgow United Kingdom[15]
2004Alicante Spain
2005Rotterdam Netherlands
2006Copenhagen Denmark
2007Stuttgart Germany
2008Warsaw Poland
2009Milan Italy
2010Dublin Ireland
2011Valencia Spain
2012Istanbul Turkey
2013Antwerp Belgium
2014Cardiff United Kingdom[16]
2015Turin Italy[17]
2016Prague Czech Republic
2017Marseille France[18]
2018Sofia Bulgaria[19]
2019Budapest Hungary
2020Málaga Spain
2021Lisbon Portugal[20]
2022The Hague Netherlands
2023Glasgow United Kingdom[21]
2024Genoa Italy[22]
2025Tallinn Estonia[23]
2026Naples Italy[24][25]
2027Zaragoza Spain[26][27]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "European Capitals of Sport". Aceseurope.eu. September 3, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ "About ACES". ACES Europe. Retrieved 2026-03-29. The European Capital of Sport title... has received the recognition of the European Commission in the White Paper
  3. ↑ "Marketing: What is the European Capital of Sport initiative and how does it work?". Sports Management. 2016. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  4. ↑ "European cities have three weeks left to apply to be recognised as European Capital of Sport in 2023". ACES Europe. 2019-03-13. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  5. ↑ EU Cities of Sport – ACES Magazine (PDF) (Report). ACES Europe. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  6. ↑ ACES Europe Magazine 2022–2023 (PDF) (Report). ACES Europe. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  7. ↑ "Tallinn named European Capital of Sport 2025". Tallinn City Government. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  8. ↑ "Cheb Named European City of Sport 2026". Prague Morning. 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  9. ↑ "Belfast celebrated as European City of Sport 2026". ICC Belfast. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  10. ↑ "Azerbaijan's Baku designated as 2026 World Sports Capital". TurkicWorld. 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  11. 1 2 "Marketing: What is the European Capital of Sport initiative and how does it work?". Sports Management. 2016. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  12. ↑ "Glasgow wins European Capital of Sport title". Glasgow Life. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  13. ↑ "Cardiff is Named European Capital of Sport". Welsh Icons News. 2011-04-01. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  14. ↑ EU Cities of Sport – ACES Magazine (PDF) (Report). ACES Europe. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  15. ↑ "Glasgow Named the European Capital of Sport in 2023". Glasgowist.
  16. ↑ "Cardiff European Capital of Sport 2014 brochure" (PDF). Cardiff Council.
  17. ↑ "Annual Report Torino 2012 noting European Capital of Sport 2015" (PDF). Comune di Torino.
  18. ↑ "MARSEILLE 2017 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF SPORT". European Olympic Committees.
  19. ↑ "Sofia Officially Declared Capital of Sport for 2018". Novinite.com.
  20. ↑ "Lisbon has become the European Capital of Sport 2021". TTG Europe.
  21. ↑ "European Capital of Sport 2023 Glasgow Life". Glasgow Life.
  22. ↑ "Genoa designated as the European capital of sport 2024". TheMayor.eu.
  23. ↑ "Tallinn named European Capital of Sport 2025". News.err.ee.
  24. ↑ "Napoli proclamata 'capitale europea dello sport 2026' - Notizie". Ansa.it. Nov 17, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  25. ↑ Ferrigno, Francesco (March 7, 2026). "Napoli Capitale europea dello Sport 2026: "Sarà il motore della rigenerazione sociale e urbana"". Naopli.cityrumors.it. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Zaragoza, elegida Capital Europa del Deporte en 2027". Infobae.com. November 17, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Zaragoza European Capital of Sport 2027". Goaragon.eu. November 17, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
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