NEWS

On September 22-23, 2026 EAS attended in Dublin the Irish Presidency Conference on Traditional Sports and Games at the Croke Park Stadium followed by the official Opening of the European Week of Sport at the National Indoor Arena of the Sport Ireland Campus, respectively.

On September 23, Mr. Charlie McConalogue, the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, opened the Presidency Conference by welcoming the delegated of leading sport organisations, sport federations, European networks, and policymakers. The event encompassed plenary sessions on the role of traditional sports and games (TSGs) across Europe and Sports as a cultural heritage, and parallel thematic sessions. In the morning, the parallel thematic sessions addressed the theme “Pathways to Growth” with a focus on “Diversity” and on “Social Inclusion and Disability”. In the afternoon, Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport offered the ministerial keynote, followed by the parallel thematic sessions on “Sports and Changing Demographics” and “Sustainability and Sport – The Role of Traditional Sports and Games”

Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission (DG EAC) and Sarah Lynch, Deputy Head of Unit of the European Commission (DG EAC), presented the main findings of the newly published 2026 Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity (https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3685).

During the conference discussions, Andrej Pisl, EUSA Institute, indicated the opportunity to empowers people and sporting communities through the opportunity for direct participation in decision-making and civic dialogue offered by the European Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) project “Give Sport a Say”, in which EAS is partner.

Georg Hausler (EAC) and Feargal O’Coigligh, Secretary General at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport presented closing reflections of the Presidential Conference. At the end of the event, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Croke Park Stadium, experience the demonstration of Irish Guild of Hurley Makers, and be introduced to traditional Gaelic games.

The following day was dedicated to the opening of the European Week of Sport (September 23-30). In line with the celebration of the #BeActice initiatives, the participants engaged in para-sports activities, followed by the formal launch ceremony of this important European initiative, which was moderated by the paralympian athlete Ellen Keane.

Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy offered opening speeches. Remarks from the European Commission were provided by the video message of Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, and an intervention of Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport. On behalf of Sport Ireland, participants were also welcomed by John Foley, Chairperson and Una May, CEO.

As an official partner of the European Week of Sport, EAS engaged in an open dialogue with European policy makers and partner organisations devoted to the development of a European discourse of sport.

For more information and the video of the European Week of Sport is available at https://sport.ec.europa.eu/european-week-of-sport