Why Belfast was named a European City of Sport 2026

For the first time, Belfast has been named a European City of Sport for 2026 – yeo!

ACES gives out this award to cities in Europe who can show all the brilliant ways they celebrate sport and prioritise physical activity.

So, it’s no surprise that this year – after ongoing investment in all things sport and a commitment to making Belfast exercise friendly – our very own capital city has made the cut!

Curious to know why? Here goes…

We invest in sport

Have you noticed our leisure centres have got a boost?

Gone are the days of the dilapidated pools and pitches of our youth, as the council has put in £105 million to revamp 7 of Belfast’s leisure centres over the last 10 years.

Andersonstown Leisure Centre is now a water-loving-family’s dream with class water slides and indoor surf machines, while Brook Leisure Centre is home to 3G Gaelic and soccer pitches, a hurling wall and outdoor gym.

So if the aim was to improve public health and community wellbeing, then we say they’ve fully succeeded.

We’re exercise-proofing our city

The city itself is also having a facelift to make getting out and about to exercise a wee bit safer.

The council has been investing in world-class greenways to connect different areas of Belfast with accessible, nature-filled paths for walkers, runners, cyclists and everyone in-between.

Like at Forth Meadow, which in 2025 received a £6.2 million investment to add benches, signage, dedicated cycle lanes, plants and art to the 12km route.

And making Belfast even more sustainable and convenient to get around, Belfast Bikes has officially added 100 e-bikes and 300 new pedal bikes to their fleet… don’t forget your helmet!

We love our local sport clubs

Because of all this, the local sport clubs and community groups in Belfast are thriving.

There are countless running clubs based in the city, from elite-level track runners to weeknight jogs with local cafés to Saturday morning park runs all over the city.

You only need to go for a dander on one of the city’s greenways on a Sunday morning to see how running has taken over. 

But Belfast is also home to all sorts of sports from around the world, like softball, padel, ice hockey, American football, you name it!

And we have a blog all about the sports you wouldn’t expect to be here, here.

We support our elite athletes

For those who got a gold medal at every sports day in school… Belfast’s got you covered as well.

Two of our main universities are well set up for attracting the top talent of the sporting world.

Both Queen’s University and Ulster University have Elite Athlete Programmes which offer personalised coaching, training, medical support, sports equipment and development to allow student athletes to stay at the top of their game and get a degree at the same time.

Outside of education, Sport NI is the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland. 

They have an Athlete Award Programme that supports athletes with their essential living costs, allowing them to focus on training and staying in tip-top shape.

You might even recognise some of the previous recipients, like Paralympic Champions Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop or Games Gold Medallist Boxer Michaela Walsh.

We host international sports events

Belfast is also proving itself to be the perfect host for international sporting events.

Like the Affidea Stadium (AKA the former Kingspan) will be hosting the Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture between Ireland and Wales in May.

Or Friendship Four, a men’s ice hockey tournament and the only international sporting event that American colleges play outside of the United States, has been held annually in Belfast since 2015.

Or athletics events which are being held in the city, like the Mary Peters Anniversary Belfast International Meet this summer, celebrating Mary Peters’ Olympic gold medal win in Munich in 1972.

Who would’ve thought all this would be happening in none other than our capital city?

We’re incredibly proud of the steps being taken towards improving the access to sport for everyone, both in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland.

And it’s brilliant to see so many people trying new sports, exercising and just being active!

So, what will you be doing to celebrate Belfast’s year as a European City of Sport? Are there any sports you’re dying to try out?

Let us know, we always love hearing from you!