NOVI SAD NAMED EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2026, ACES EUROPE: RECOGNITION FOR EXEMPLARY SPORTS POLICY
The City of Novi Sad, by the decision of the European Federation of Capitals and Cities of Sport (ACES Europe), has officially received the title of European City of Sport for 2026. In the official congratulatory message sent to the city by the President and Founder of ACES Europe, Mr. Gian Francesco Lupatelli, it is stated that Novi Sad received this recognition thanks to its exemplary sports policy, widely available sports programmes, high-quality infrastructure and strong engagement in the field of health, education, inclusion and promotion of respect.
"Your city has shown a strong commitment to the core values of the ACES organization and deservedly becomes part of its international family," it was pointed out in Lupatelli's address.
This prestigious recognition is a strong confirmation of the many years of strategic work and systematic investments of the City in the development of sports, sports infrastructure, support for young athletes, as well as improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens through the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
– As the Mayor of Novi Sad, and on behalf of all institutions, athletes, coaches, teachers, volunteers and all those who have invested effort in this success, I extend my sincere and heartfelt congratulations to all citizens of Novi Sad, but also to all citizens of Serbia. This is our joint recognition of our love for sport, for selfless support, for the spirit of togetherness that adorns us. The recognition that Novi Sad received as the European City of Sport for 2026 is the result of our consistent and continuous commitment to the development of sport. In recent years, we have made numerous investments in sports infrastructure, worth over EUR 35 million, from the construction and reconstruction of sports halls, fields and facilities, bicycle paths, to strong support for school, club and amateur sports. We continue to invest in sports. This year, we will allocate 988 million dinars. At the same time, we will continue to invest in the development of culture, education and environmental protection, the improvement of communal infrastructure and the economic development of the city. This title not only encourages the further development of sport, but also gives a strong impetus to tourism, international cooperation, cultural exchange, education, social inclusion and the promotion of public health. Novi Sad shows that it is a city that believes in togetherness, and through sports it proves it every day – said the Mayor of Novi Sad, Žarko Mićin.
The ceremony on the occasion of awarding the title will be held at the end of 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels, where Novi Sad will be presented as one of the leading European cities in the field of sports. On that occasion, our city will compete for an additional recognition – the title of "European City of Sport of the Year".
NOVI SAD HOSTS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN GIREVA SPORT IN 2027 WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF ATHLETES FROM 50 COUNTRIES
In 2027, Novi Sad will host the World Kettlebell Championship, it was announced at a press conference held at the Serbian Orthodox Church 'Vojvodina', organised by the Kettlebell Team, and with the support of the City of Novi Sad. On that occasion, a member of the City Council for Sports and Youth, Tatjana Medved, reminded that Novi Sad had already hosted this championship in 2019, when over 500 athletes from 31 countries arrived in our city.
– Sport plays a vital role in the life of the community in Novi Sad, and it is through the candidacy of Novi Sad for the title of 'European City of Sport 2026' that we have presented ourselves as a city that supports all forms of sports activities and that we are a city of sports for all. Thanks to the organization and holding of this and many other mass sports competitions at the national and international level, we enable every sports event in our city to be conducted in the best possible conditions and in a sporting spirit, which has earned us the status of a top host. By supporting the organization of the 2027 World Championships, we continue to confirm our commitment to the development and promotion of sport and all the values that sport and physical activity provide to each of us – said Tatjana Medved.
Girevoj sport is one of the most demanding sports disciplines and involves a combination of strength, endurance and technique in lifting special weights ("bells"), and our fellow citizen Nemanja Najvirt, multiple world champion, has been promoting our city and Serbia around the world with his results for years.
The World Federation of Kettlebell Sport aims to promote the use of kettlebell lifting and to disseminate kettlebell-related sporting activities and sports disciplines as psychophysical and moral training, through the management of any form of competitive, recreational or any other type of motor activity.
The latest results from the World Championships held in Spain were also presented at the conference, where our competitors won three gold and one silver medal, competing in two disciplines and four categories. Also, the establishment of the Kettlebell Team Association, which aims to promote, develop and massify this sport in Serbia, was officially announced. The next major international competitions are also planned – World Championships in Hungary and the United States of America – where our representatives will defend the colors of Serbia and Novi Sad.
The Kettlebell team invites all citizens to join them in training and become part of the next generation of champions.
The conference was attended by Nemanja Najvirt, three-time world champion in the sport of golf, and Miloš Marić, founder and representative of the Kettlebell team. In the end, the organizers expressed their gratitude to the City of Novi Sad and Mayor Žarko Mićin for their selfless support and understanding of the importance of this sport.
CANDIDACY THAT CARRIES THE SPIRIT OF VICTORY: NOVI SAD ON THE WAY TO THE EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2026
A press conference was held in the Ceremonial Hall of the City Hall in Novi Sad on the occasion of Novi Sad's candidacy for the prestigious title of European City of Sport 2026, organised by the Federation of European Capitals and Cities of Sport (ACES Europe).
The attendees were addressed by the Mayor of Novi Sad, Žarko Mićin, Member of the City Council for Sports and Youth, Tatjana Medved, as well as members of the ACES Europe Evaluation Committee, Isabel Bonal, Berislav Čižmek and Fabrizio Santangelo.
Mayor Žarko Mićin emphasized that this candidacy is a natural step for a city such as Novi Sad.
"The candidacy of Novi Sad for the title of European City of Sport 2026 is an exceptional honor, but also a great obligation for our city. This is an opportunity for Novi Sad to further strengthen its position on the European map, not only as a cultural and tourist destination, but also as a city that lives sport and recognizes its role in the quality of life of every individual. I believe that the members of the commission have recognized how much our city invests in sports and how important it is for all citizens of Novi Sad. Over 130,000 citizens of Novi Sad are actively involved in sports, we have built more than 240 sports and recreational fields, while 150 kilometers of cycling trails contribute to a healthier lifestyle. With a record investment of 980 million dinars, we confirm that sport is one of our priorities. However, what is most valuable and what sets us apart are the people. Kindness, hospitality and the spirit of togetherness make Novi Sad special. This is the spirit we want to bring to Europe and the world. I am convinced that, as the European City of Sport, we will even more strongly encourage a healthy lifestyle, solidarity, inclusion and sports culture.
A member of the City Council for Sports and Youth, Tatjana Medved, pointed out that the visit took place in a very positive atmosphere.
"We had the opportunity to present to our guests how sports work in Novi Sad, from mass and school sports, through infrastructure, to professional sports. The Commission expressed great satisfaction with what it saw, which encourages us in our candidacy. Novi Sad is already alive with the sporting spirit, and we are sure that with this title we would make an additional step forward – said Medved.
Berislav Čižmek, a member of the ACES Europe evaluation committee, praised the city's efforts.
- Novi Sad pleasantly surprised us. There is a systemic approach to sport, the availability of content to all generations, as well as a strong connection between sport and culture, education and urban development. This is exactly what we are looking for from a European city of sport – he pointed out.
ACES Europe's decision on awarding the title of European City of Sport for 2026 will be made within two weeks in Brussels, and Novi Sad is one of the leading candidates in that race.
As part of the official visit, the representatives of the commission had the opportunity to get acquainted with the sports infrastructure of the city. The visit began with a presentation at the Cultural Station "Svilara", and continued with a tour of sports venues including outdoor fitness courts along the Boulevard of Europe, Kej, Petrovaradin Fortress, Sokolski dom, SPENS, sports complexes in Futog and Sajmište.
TATJANA MEDVED CONTINUES HER TOUR OF SPORTS FACILITIES IN NOVI SAD AS PART OF HER CANDIDACY FOR THE EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2026.
After a successful tour of the sports facilities during the morning, a member of the City Council for Sports and Youth, Tatjana Medved, continued the tour with the ACES Europe evaluation committee, which is visiting Novi Sad as part of the candidacy for the European City of Sport 2026.
In the second part of the day, the delegation visited the sports complex in Futogu, which includes outdoor courts, a swimming pool and a sports hall. They also visited the sports complex at Sajmište with a shooting range, which is also one of the important places for the development of sports disciplines in Novi Sad.
"We continue to show all aspects of our sporting potential. The tour of Futog and Sajmište shows how much Novi Sad invests in infrastructure and develops sports at all levels, which is very important for our candidacy," said Medved.
The members of the commission praised the city's infrastructure, as well as the increasing involvement of citizens in sports, which is one of the key criteria for awarding the title of European City of Sport.