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.