Zagreb to Host Largest-Ever European Gymnastics Championships

Zagreb is set to host the European Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in August, an event poised to be the largest in the competition's history. For the first time, the city will simultaneously stage both the senior and junior European Championships.

“

In Zagreb, we expect a total of almost 2000 accredited persons, including athletes, coaches, judges, medical and support staff, officials, members of the organizing committee, and volunteers. We estimate that they will achieve about 10,000 overnight stays in Zagreb during August, and we additionally expect as many overnight stays due to the arrival of fans, athletes' families, and guests, which confirms that this championship has not only a sporting but also an important tourist and economic effect for Zagreb and Croatia.

From August 13 to 23, Arena Zagreb will welcome approximately 670 gymnasts from 44 nations, marking a record number of participants. The event is expected to draw nearly 2000 accredited individuals, including athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers. Organizers project around 10,000 overnight stays in Zagreb during the championships, with an equal number expected from visiting fans and families.

Marijo Možnik, president of the Croatian Gymnastics Federation, highlighted the event's significant sporting, tourism, and economic impact. He expressed personal pride in realizing a long-held dream of bringing the European Championships to Croatia, allowing national athletes to compete on home soil. "This is the result of joint work, trust, and long-term investment in the development of gymnastics," Možnik stated.

“

This is the result of joint work, trust, and long-term investment in the development of gymnastics. For me personally, this has special meaning. Even during my sports career, one of the great wishes was that Croatia would one day organize the European Gymnastics Championship and that our athletes would have the opportunity to perform in front of the home crowd on the biggest European stage. That is why I am especially happy and proud today that we have managed to turn that idea and dream into reality.

Croatian national team members, including Ilija Kovtun, Filip Ude, Aurel Benović, Christina Zwicker, and Tijana Korent, shared their anticipation. Kovtun, a recent Croatian citizen and former European champion, views it as a crucial debut for the national team. Filip Ude is competing despite a serious shoulder injury, prioritizing the chance to perform at home over surgery.

“

For me, it is a very important competition because it is my first appearance for the Croatian national team and my first competition after a long break. We have been preparing since the beginning of the year, and I hope I will achieve good results.

Tickets for the championships are now on sale, with 5,000 seats available in Arena Zagreb for spectators.

“

If the European Championship were not in Zagreb, Filip Ude would certainly have already had surgery due to a serious shoulder injury. I decided to risk an even more serious injury just to compete at the European Championship because I don't think I will have the opportunity to compete in a major competition in front of the home crowd again. I feel neither pressure nor nervousness, I just hope the shoulder will hold up until my performance so I can perform as best as I can.