European Aquatics Masters Championships 2026 will include Water Polo and be open to athletes with disabilities for first time ever
European Aquatics convened a press conference at the X-BIONIC® Sphere in Samorin, Slovakia on November 27 to present the plans for the European Aquatics Masters Championships 2026. The event brought together key partners, including European Aquatics President Antonio Silva, Arno Pajek, President of the Austrian Swimming Federation, and Richard Ungerhofer, representing the X-BIONIC® Sphere. BE COOL has been appointed as the official event organiser. Ivan Sulek, President of Slovak swimming federation, one of the partners of this event, was also present.
Opening the conference, President Antonio Silva emphasised the significance of this edition for the Masters community and for European Aquatics as a whole. “We are delighted to bring together strong partners from two countries to create high-quality and accessible sport for all. Masters athletes deserve our full attention and the best possible conditions. Their discipline encourages long-term activity, a healthy lifestyle and a deep passion for aquatics. ECH Masters 2026 will give athletes exactly the environment they need to perform and enjoy their competitions, while also celebrating inclusion and supporting athletes with disabilities. For the first time, we will host a European Masters competition across two countries, and we are thrilled to welcome a record number of participants. We look forward to working closely with our partners to make this an exceptional experience for the entire Masters community.”
The 2026 edition will be historic as the first cross-border European Aquatics Masters Championships, jointly hosted by Slovakia and Austria under the motto “United by Water.” Running from 19-30 August 2026, the event will take place in Šamorín and Bratislava in Slovakia, and Graz in Austria. All Masters disciplines will be represented: swimming, open water swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo.
A defining feature of the 2026 Championships is its strong commitment to inclusion. For the first time, the event will welcome Masters athletes with visual, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments, ensuring that every athlete has access to the facilities, support and infrastructure they need. This approach reflects one of the core pillars of European Aquatics’ long-term strategy: making aquatics accessible and enjoyable for all.
Competitions will be held across three high-quality venues. Swimming and artistic swimming will take place at the X-BIONIC® Sphere Olympic Training Centre in Šamorín, while the nearby Danube backwater will provide a safe and controlled environment for open water events. Artistic swimming and water polo will also be staged at the Pasienky pool, with water polo finals taking place at X-BIONIC® Sphere. Diving events will be held in Graz at the Auster Sport- und Wellnessbad, a modern facility situated within the UNESCO-protected region of Styria.
Reflecting on the partnership, Richard Ungerhofer said: “We are extremely pleased to continue our successful collaboration. After hosting the European U23 and Junior Championships, it is an honour to welcome the Masters community to our facilities. Our teams are ready to provide the standards and services athletes expect, and we believe this marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with European Aquatics.”
Arno Pajek echoed the spirit of cooperation behind the project. “This collaboration between two countries is an excellent example of how to support inclusion, sports development and the values that matter to European Aquatics. We are ready to offer athletes of all levels the ideal environment to compete.”
This will be the first standalone European Aquatics Masters Championships, no longer held as an extension of the European Championships. The 2026 edition represents a major step forward in shaping future Masters events, combining sporting excellence with international collaboration and the joy of lifelong participation in aquatics.
X-BIONIC® Sphere in Šamorín, which has successfully hosted several European Aquatics competitions, will provide world-class training and competition conditions. The venue includes an Olympic-standard 50m outdoor pool, a 25m indoor pool, advanced recovery and rehabilitation facilities, a two-floor elite fitness centre, medical support, diagnostics and nutrition services. A range of tailored participation packages will be available for individuals, families and clubs, along with dedicated programmes for senior athletes, children’s activities and family services such as medical assessments and health testing.
European Aquatics and its partners are committed to delivering a memorable and truly inclusive Championships that celebrates the strength and diversity of the Masters community. Further details on registration, schedules and accommodation will be made available on the European Aquatics website in due course.
On 26 November, Antonio Silva and the European Aquatics delegation also met with Richard Rasi, the Chairperson of the Slovak parliament and former mayor of the city of Kosice, to discuss future co-operation between Slovakia and European Aquatics, including Swim Safe Europe projects planned from 2026 to promote aquatic sport development.
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