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. 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.
Selection criteria Cities are evaluated based on several criteria, including: Sports infrastructure Level of participation in sport Promotion of healthy lifestyles Organisation of sporting events Social integration through sport
History and designation 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. Independent coverage highlights that cities use the title to drive investment, increase participation in physical activity, and enhance social inclusion and public health outcomes. The designation is also linked to urban regeneration, international sporting events, and increased grassroots participation. 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.
Winners by year Year City Country Ref 2001 Madrid 2002 Stockholm 2003 Glasgow 2004 Alicante 2005 Rotterdam 2006 Copenhagen 2007 Stuttgart 2008 Warsaw 2009 Milan 2010 Dublin 2011 Valencia 2012 Istanbul 2013 Antwerp 2014 Cardiff 2015 Turin 2016 Prague 2017 Marseille 2018 Sofia 2019 Budapest 2020 Málaga 2021 Lisbon 2022 The Hague 2023 Glasgow 2024 Genoa 2025 Tallinn 2026 Naples 2027 Zaragoza
See also European Capital of Culture European Youth Capital European Green Capital Award
References
External links Official website