Seven Nations Have Bid for European Para Championships
Potential hosts have expressed interest in the 2031 or 2035 European Para Championships editions.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Olympics
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Seven nations have officially expressed interest in hosting the European Para Championships in either 2031 or 2035. The organizing body has adopted a continuous dialogue model for the bidding process, though the specific names of the interested countries remain private.
Why it matters
The bidding phase represents the expansion of the multi-sport event, which seeks to establish a consistent footprint for athletes across the continent. By formalizing the selection process early, organizers aim to mirror the scale of other international Paralympic-focused competitions.
The 2023 European Para Championships in Rotterdam operated on a 30 million euro budget, significantly lower than the 140 million euros spent on the Berlin Special Olympics World Games. The next iteration in Geneva will feature 2,000 athletes across 12 sports.
The players
European Para Championships
This organization operates as a private social enterprise dedicated to hosting multi-sport events for para athletes.
The details
The organization utilizes a continuous dialogue model for selecting future venues, allowing interested regions to apply on a first-come, first-served basis. While the host for 2031 is set to be named in August 2027, officials are already considering how these games may align with qualification pathways for the 2032 Paralympic Games in Brisbane.
Timeline
2023: Rotterdam hosted the inaugural European Para Championships.
August 2027: Geneva hosts the second edition of the Championships.
August 15, 2027: The 2031 host city will be officially announced.
2031: The European Para Championships are scheduled to occur.
2035: The European Para Championships are scheduled to occur.
Roadmap
The growth of the European Para Championships signals a broader effort to standardize regional para-sport pathways before global events. By aligning with the cycle of the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games, the organization aims to elevate its profile within the international Paralympic movement.
The formalization of the 2031 and 2035 host selection process establishes a predictable calendar for athletes and fans planning to attend regional championships. This continuity helps domestic sports federations better allocate resources for training and qualification cycles leading up to major games.
The takeaway
As the bidding process for future games continues, the emphasis remains on creating a sustainable and scalable model for regional para-sports. Stakeholders should track the 2027 announcement for the 2031 host to understand how the competitive landscape for these events will evolve over the next decade.
Further reading
For more background on the evolution of these events, visit the Olympics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GamesBids.
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