Belfast celebrated as European City of Sport 2026

Belfast has been named a European City of Sport for 2026

The decision by ACES – Worldwide Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation - to award the city the prestigious accolade, alongside 20 other cities, follows a two-day visit by a judging panel earlier in November.

Panel members met with bid leaders Belfast City Council, its leisure partners GLL and community sports organisations at venues across the city to look at how investment into sport and physical activity over the last decade is transforming health and wellbeing outcomes for residents.

Each year, ACES recognises capitals, cities, towns and regions worldwide celebrating sport through infrastructure, events and support for clubs. This is the first time Belfast has been awarded the title - the only other Northern Ireland city was Lisburn, in 2013.

Announcing the news at Olympia Leisure Centre today, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said the judges were impressed with the city’s rich sporting heritage, the passion of local clubs and the innovative approach taken by the council and GLL to boost participation and improve health.

“This is a great achievement for Belfast and an endorsement of all the work that goes into supporting sport here – from the players, volunteers and coaches to the event organisers, fans and funders,” she said.

Sport is a thread that runs through all communities and becoming a European City of Sport provides a unique opportunity to showcase the breath of physical activity opportunities we have, from traditional sports like football, rugby and Gaelic games, to emerging sports like parkour and basketball, and into the gym, pool and exercise studio too.

“Activity levels in Belfast are good – but they could be better. We still have some of the highest levels of health inequalities and deprivation in the UK and reducing these is a key goal for the Belfast Agenda – our city’s community plan. Our council is leading the way in changing this, through investment in our leisure estate, funding projects which use sport to bring people together and removing the barriers to participation, together with GLL."

“In 2026, we’ll do this even more – with more ways to get involved in physical activity and help everyone enjoy the benefits that come from playing sport.”

During their visit to Belfast, the ACES panel heard how the council has invested £105 million into six state-of-the-art leisure centres since 2015, while eight other centres have become community hubs, providing vital services to help communities stay fit and active.

Belfast’s bid outlined how new programmes, upgraded facilities, collaborations with sport governing bodies and the free 12-week Healthwise scheme for those recovering from ill health have all contributed to a significant increase in sports participation in the city – in the 2023/24 Continuous Household Survey, 50% of adults reported taking part in sport in the last week, up from 43% in 2022/23.

Other investments include the addition of e-bikes to the Belfast Bikes fleet, world-class greenways at Connswater and Forth Meadow to encourage more walking and cycling, the development of a pitches strategy to meet the growing demand for training and match facilities, forthcoming upgrades to Waterworks, Alexandra Park and Girdwood, and the Under the Bridges project, providing new spaces for recreation under the M3 bridge, right in the heart of Belfast city centre.

Panel members also met with athletes and coaches, including those benefiting from the £320,000 invested annually into clubs city-wide, alongside initiatives like Belfast Sports Awards and GLL Sports Foundation which recognise and fund grassroots and elite athletes.

Michelle Vorel-Adams, President - ACES UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be awarding the City of Belfast to become European City of Sport 2026. There is a clear strategy and commitment to investing and developing sport in the community for the next few years."

It is an exceptional example of a city providing an array of high-quality sports facilities and services coupled with strong partnerships. A perfect combination to be an ACES award winner. We wish Belfast good luck for 2026 and look forward to visiting the city again.

Olympic gold medallist Lady Mary Peters, former Ireland hockey international Shirley McCay and representatives from Sport NI, Ulster GAA, Irish Football Association, Ulster Rugby and other sport governing bodies were among those at Olympia today to welcome the designation.

They heard how they can use the 2026 year to put their own sport on the map, while GLL’s Senior Regional Director, Gareth Kirk, highlighted how the award will be used to get more people into leisure centres and trying out new and different sports.

He said: "As a social enterprise, GLL is proud to partner with Belfast City Council in transforming public leisure over the past decade. From grassroots participation to elite performance, we’ve helped create a city where everyone, regardless of age, ability or background, can find their place in sport."

Today’s announcement celebrates Belfast’s energy and inclusivity. We are a city that works hard, welcomes all and believes in the power of sport to change lives.

Residents will be able to get involved in Belfast’s European City of Sport 2026 celebrations through try-it activities in leisure and community venues, coach and volunteer development opportunities and a range of special events, with full programme details to be announced in January 2026.

Sports events will also take place across the city, delivered by local governing bodies. They include the Ulster Minor football championships, the Ulster Schools’ Cup, Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon, NI Masters’ Championship athletics at Mary Peters Track, the NI Confederation Cup and sports camps for athletes attending the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July. Council-run or funded events will also include Belfast Primary Schools’ Cross-Country Championships, the Belfast Sports Awards, GLL holiday schemes and activities to mark European Week of Sport in September.

ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall have been making their mark on the sporting world, recently being named host of the UEFA EURO 2028 Qualifying Draw, showcasing the return of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open to Waterfront Hall, becoming the new hub for Belfast City Marathon Expo and Pack Collection, and welcoming the Matchroom Boxing Donovan vs Crocker 2 press conference in our Waterfront Studio - to name just a few.