European Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships Sukoro 2026 – bulletin now available

The official Information Bulletin for the 2026 European Junior Open Water Swimming Championships is now available, providing comprehensive details for the event set to take place in Sukoro, Hungary, from 23 to 26 July 2026.

Europe’s most promising junior open water swimmers will gather on the shores of Lake Velence for four days of high-level competition, hosted by European Aquatics in collaboration with the Hungarian Swimming Federation and the Local Organising Committee. The Championships will be staged at the National Kayak Academy in Sukoro, a state-of-the-art venue opened in 2024 that combines elite training infrastructure with direct access to the lake’s rowing course.

Hungary’s strong tradition in open water swimming provides a fitting backdrop for the event. The nation has produced Olympic and European champions including Kristof Rasovszky and David Betlehem, as well as world and European medallist Bettina Fabian, underlining the country’s continued excellence in the discipline.

Competition will take place from 23–26 July, following official training from 20–22 July and the Team Leaders’ Meeting on 22 July. The programme features individual 10km, 7.5km and 5km races for boys and girls, knockout events across the 14–16 and 17–19 age categories, and U16 and U19 mixed relays over 6km. Award ceremonies will be held at the venue immediately after each race.

The rectangular racecourse will be set on the rowing course of Lake Velence, where minimal currents and wave action are expected. Distances will be swum over clearly marked laps, with 5km (3 laps), 7.5km (5 laps), 10km (6 laps), 3km knockout format (1.5km + 1km + 0.5km), and 6km mixed relay (four x 1.5km). All events will be conducted under the latest World Aquatics and European Junior Open Water Championships Rules.

The bulletin outlines all operational requirements for participating National Federations. Preliminary entries and accommodation bookings must be submitted by 23 March 2026, with final entries and accreditations due by 13 July 2026 through the European Aquatics Event Management System. Key administrative deadlines include the 6 April deadline for 50% accommodation payment, 23 April visa indication, 22 June final accommodation booking, and 1 July submission of travel details, rooming lists and pool training requests.

The official period of stay runs from 19–27 July. Pool training will be held at the National Kayak Academy’s indoor Olympic-size pool, located adjacent to the competition venue, while open water training sessions will also be available on the lake. Delegations must submit their Pool Training Request Forms by 1 July.

Accommodation will be organised by the Hungarian Swimming Federation at two official hotels on Lake Velence, with full-board packages available. The Local Organising Committee will provide complimentary airport transfers from Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport and shuttle services between official hotels and the competition venue, subject to timely submission of travel information.

In line with European Aquatics’ strategic priorities, the Championships will integrate Aquatics Social Responsibility initiatives, focusing on sustainability, environmental awareness, and responsible event delivery. Safeguarding, athlete protection and integrity measures will also be in place, with clear reporting channels outlined in the bulletin.

For full competition details, including entry procedures, accommodation information, training schedules and regulatory guidelines, see the below bulletin.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics

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