Istanbul to host 2027 European Games: İmamoğlu announces

The press conference saw the participation of Neşe Gündoğan, Secretary-General of the Turkish National Olympic Committee; Ali Kiremitçioğlu, Vice President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee; Serap Özçelik Arapoğlu, Olympic Karate Champion of Europe and the World; and Nafia Kuş Aydın, Olympic Taekwondo Champion of Europe and the World.

What Are the European Games?

Initiated by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in 2012, the European Games occur every four years as the continent's largest Olympic-scale event. Following the model of the Asian, Pan-American, African, and Pacific Games, it became the fifth continental Olympic event, ensuring that all continents have their Olympic Games. From its inception, it garnered significant attention across Europe, featuring athletes from the entire continent. All 50 countries in Europe (with the United Kingdom participating under a single flag) compete in the games.

Nomination and Selection Process

The EOC kickstarts the process by sending an invitation letter to each member country's committee. Interested countries then submit their applications to the EOC.

Inspectors appointed by the committee conduct the necessary evaluations. Following deliberations on the candidacies during the EOC General Assembly, the host is selected. This elaborate process ensures that the selected host is fully equipped to manage the grandeur and logistics of the European Games, setting the stage for a significant event in Istanbul in 2027.