New wave of ticket sales and EDF sponsor deal for European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026 announced with 200 days to go
Athletes and officials including EA President Antonio Silva attended the press event at the Centre Aquatique Olympique in Paris marking 200 days to go until the start of the EA Championships Paris 2026. Credit: Métropole du Grand Paris
European Aquatics President Antonio Silva today anticipated “sell-out crowds” at the Paris 2026 European Aquatics Championships – for which the next wave of ticket sales to the general public will start on Friday (January 23).
Speaking at a press conference marking 200 days to go (D-200) until the start of the 38th Championships, Silva said the event’s return to Paris 100 years after the city had hosted the inaugural edition was “a symbolic moment that links our rich history with an exciting future.”
An occasion attended by a formidable cast of officials and athletes also involved the announcement that French energy suppliers EDF would be the official competition partner, renewing their agreement for the next five years.
Silva’s fellow speakers at the Centre Aquatique Olympique – newly built for the Paris 2024 Games – included Gilles Sezionale, President of the Fédération Française de Natation (FFN) and EA Vice-President, Patrick Ollier, President of the Métropole du Grand Paris, Marina Ferrari, Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Life, Amélie Oudea-Castera, President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) and Oriane Fihol, Departmental Councillor in charge of combating discrimination and youth affairs.
Also present were Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Sports, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Seine River, and Shems El Khalfaoui, Deputy Mayor of Saint-Denis in charge of Sports.
Athletes were represented by event ambassadors Florent Manaudou, whose six Olympic medals include 50m freestyle gold from the London 2012 Games, and Charlotte Bonnet, who won women’s 4x200m freestyle bronze at London 2012 and was European 200m freestyle champion in 2018.
“I think Paris 2026 is going to be amazing,” Silva told Nick Hope for European Aquatics. “We saw from the press conference today so many important people from Saint Denis city, from the government, the French Federation and a lot of authorities which proves they are really motivated to organise an amazing competition.
“For us it also important because it’s 100 years after the first edition in Paris in 1926, so it will be amazing to be here and I’m sure the atmosphere will be incredible because it’s a legacy of the Olympic Games 2024.”
Earlier Silva had described the upcoming Championships as “the undisputed highlight of the European aquatics calendar,” adding:
“They are not only a major sporting event, but a powerful platform to promote our sport in France and far beyond its borders.
“Bringing Europe’s best athletes together inspires new generations, strengthens our community, and reinforces the role of aquatics as one of the most dynamic and universal sports on our continent.
“This edition is particularly special. Competing in the Olympic Aquatic Centre, built for the Paris 2024 Olympics, will mark the first major international aquatics competition in the city since the Games.
“It offers a new opportunity for Europe’s top athletes to perform on a world-class stage and to reconnect fans with venues that are already part of sporting history.
“We anticipate sell-out crowds, especially with the possible participation of France’s own Léon Marchand. His four Olympic gold medals in 2024 captured the imagination of the French public, and his return to the Olympic pool would undoubtedly electrify these Championships.
“This will be the 38th edition of the European Aquatics Championships, returning to Paris exactly 100 years after the inaugural edition in 1926. It is a symbolic moment that links our rich history with an exciting future.
“There is, of course, still a great deal of hard work ahead. I want to underline that our European Aquatics staff is working day and night alongside the local organising committee to ensure the very best conditions for athletes, as well as the highest standards of event presentation and television broadcast.
“Together, we want to showcase not only European Aquatics at its best, but also the excellence of French sporting organisation.
“The Championships will feature five aquatic disciplines: swimming, artistic swimming, diving, open water swimming and high diving, with spectacular competitions planned in and along the River Seine. Only water polo will be absent, but the programme promises outstanding performances across the board.
“Beyond sport, European Aquatics is fully committed to working with the organising team on concrete social responsibility actions, ensuring that these Championships promote sustainability, environmental awareness and positive legacy.
“Finally, I would like to warmly thank our hosts today.
“A special thanks, of course, goes to my old friend and European Aquatics Vice President Gilles Sezionale, President of the French Swimming Federation, for his leadership, co-operation and dedication.
“We look forward to delivering together an unforgettable celebration of European aquatics.”
FFN director general Laurent Ciubini commented: “When we try to imagine the future after Paris 2024 the European Aquatics Championships were obvious for us.
“We wanted them and we worked with Antonio Silva in order to bring them here. We had a lot of support from the state who we have brought together support it all financially and we now have private sponsors so we are happy and excited about what will be happening here in August.
“I think for French Aquatics it’s history because it’s been almost 40 years since we welcomed a European Aquatics Championships and it’s been 100 years since we came to Paris so it’s very important for us. And of course we are trying to build, with the French Federation, for the future and to find the next Leon Marchand…”
Bonnet said: “We are excited because after the Olympics when you are from the host country it can be a little difficult in the months after the Games. So now we are really motivated to be here.”
Manaudou commented: “It’s important for me to be involved in this European Championships because it’s a legacy. I’ve competed in several long course Europeans and it’s good to put lights on it in France as we haven’t had these Championships for a long time.”
The 38th EA Championships will run from July 31 to August 16.
The official ticketing page for the European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026, is available here from Friday, January 23: https://sites.weezevent.com/european-aquatics-championships-2026/index.html
Updated information about the Paris 2026 schedule and results is available here: https://europeanaquatics.org/paris-2026/schedule-and-results/
Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
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