European Aquatics Masters Championships 2026 will embrace Water Polo and be open to athletes with disabilities for first time ever

European Aquatics convened a press convention on the X-BIONIC® Sphere in Samorin, Slovakia on November 27 to current the plans for the European Aquatics Masters Championships 2026. The occasion introduced collectively key companions, together with European Aquatics President Antonio Silva, Arno Pajek, President of the Austrian Swimming Federation, and Richard Ungerhofer, representing the X-BIONIC® Sphere. BE COOL has been appointed because the official occasion organiser. Ivan Sulek, President of Slovak swimming federation, one of many companions of this occasion, was additionally current.

Opening the convention, President Antonio Silva emphasised the importance of this version for the Masters neighborhood and for European Aquatics as a complete. “We are delighted to bring together strong partners from two countries to create high-quality and accessible sport for all. Masters athletes deserve our full attention and the best possible conditions. Their discipline encourages long-term activity, a healthy lifestyle and a deep passion for aquatics. ECH Masters 2026 will give athletes exactly the environment they need to perform and enjoy their competitions, while also celebrating inclusion and supporting athletes with disabilities. For the first time, we will host a European Masters competition across two countries, and we are thrilled to welcome a record number of participants. We look forward to working closely with our partners to make this an exceptional experience for the entire Masters community.”

The 2026 version might be historic as the primary cross-border European Aquatics Masters Championships, collectively hosted by Slovakia and Austria beneath the motto “United by Water.” Running from 19-30 August 2026, the occasion will happen in Šamorín and Bratislava in Slovakia, and Graz in Austria. All Masters disciplines might be represented: swimming, open water swimming, creative swimming, diving and water polo.

A defining function of the 2026 Championships is its robust dedication to inclusion. For the primary time, the occasion will welcome Masters athletes with visible, listening to, bodily and mental impairments, guaranteeing that each athlete has entry to the amenities, help and infrastructure they want. This strategy displays one of many core pillars of European Aquatics’ long-term technique: making aquatics accessible and pleasing for all.

Competitions might be held throughout three high-quality venues. Swimming and creative swimming will happen on the X-BIONIC® Sphere Olympic Training Centre in Šamorín, whereas the close by Danube backwater will present a secure and managed setting for open water occasions. Artistic swimming and water polo will even be staged on the Pasienky pool, with water polo finals going down at X-BIONIC® Sphere. Diving occasions might be held in Graz on the Auster Sport- und Wellnessbad, a contemporary facility located inside the UNESCO-protected area of Styria.

Reflecting on the partnership, Richard Ungerhofer stated: “We are extremely pleased to continue our successful collaboration. After hosting the European U23 and Junior Championships, it is an honour to welcome the Masters community to our facilities. Our teams are ready to provide the standards and services athletes expect, and we believe this marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with European Aquatics.”

Arno Pajek echoed the spirit of cooperation behind the venture. “This collaboration between two countries is an excellent example of how to support inclusion, sports development and the values that matter to European Aquatics. We are ready to offer athletes of all levels the ideal environment to compete.”

This would be the first standalone European Aquatics Masters Championships, now not held as an extension of the European Championships. The 2026 version represents a significant step ahead in shaping future Masters occasions, combining sporting excellence with worldwide collaboration and the enjoyment of lifelong participation in aquatics.

X-BIONIC® Sphere in Šamorín, which has efficiently hosted a number of European Aquatics competitions, will present world-class coaching and competitors situations. The venue contains an Olympic-standard 50m out of doors pool, a 25m indoor pool, superior restoration and rehabilitation amenities, a two-floor elite health centre, medical help, diagnostics and diet companies. A spread of tailor-made participation packages might be accessible for people, households and golf equipment, together with devoted programmes for senior athletes, kids’s actions and household companies akin to medical assessments and well being testing.

European Aquatics and its companions are dedicated to delivering a memorable and really inclusive Championships that celebrates the power and variety of the Masters neighborhood. Further particulars on registration, schedules and lodging might be made accessible on the European Aquatics web site in the end.

On 26 November, Antonio Silva and the European Aquatics delegation additionally met with Richard Rasi, the Chairperson of the Slovak parliament and former mayor of town of Kosice, to debate future co-operation between Slovakia and European Aquatics, together with Swim Safe Europe tasks deliberate from 2026 to advertise aquatic sport growth.