European Universities Games
Salerno 2026
July 18 - August 1

Five Days to Go: Salerno Prepares for the European Universities Games 2026 Opening Ceremony

Here we go. The countdown has officially begun: there are only five days left until the start of the largest continental university sports event. On Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 PM, the picturesque setting of Piazza della Libertà in Salerno will become the beating heart of sport, hosting the Opening Ceremony of the European Universities Games Salerno 2026.

The inaugural event, which will see student-athletes from all over Europe parading, was officially presented at the Sala del Gonfalone in the Salerno City Hall. It was an opportunity to reveal the details of a massive organisational machine, promoted under the aegis of EUSA (European University Sports Association) and led by the University of Salerno, CUS Salerno and ADISURC, with the fundamental support of FederCusi and the Campania Region.

A Bridge Between Salerno and Europe

Hosting an event of this magnitude is not just a sporting challenge, but an incredible opportunity for international connection. This was highlighted by the Rector of the University of Salerno, Virgilio D’Antonio, opening the press conference:

“Bringing over 4000 student-athletes from almost 200 European universities here to Campania, in Salerno (with an enormous organisational effort) is a great opportunity. An opportunity, above all, to build unprecedented international networks: it is extremely rare for so many European universities to meet in a single place. Today we present the Opening Ceremony, the official and solemn start of the event. Thanks go to the police forces coordinated by the Salerno Police Headquarters, the city police, Salerno Mobilità, and the City Council for granting us Piazza della Libertà. The Administration has always intensely supported us; the idea is to recreate a strong and profound bridge between Salerno and its University, a connection that is not only spatial but also cultural.”

The Legacy for the Local Area

The Games represent an international showcase, but also a concrete legacy for the local area and future generations of students. The President of CUS Salerno, Lorenzo Lentini, focused on this point:

“Salerno returns to the centre of international sport. We must thank EUSA for believing in Italy, in the South and in Salerno. The largest European university sports event will be held here. Universities from 32 European countries will compete. Sport, in this particular historical moment, sends a message of unity. Thanks to Mayor De Luca and Rector D’Antonio. The Games will be an immense showcase for the city and the university. The legacy of this event is already visible: a reinforced sports facility system, with an area of 15,000 square metres dedicated to eight Padel courts on the Baronissi university campus, a Beach Volleyball court and a Beach Handball court, available to the community and local areas. The slogan of this event encapsulates the effort made: Passion Never Ends.”

The Challenge of Hospitality and Organisation

To transform the campuses into a true international village, an unprecedented synergistic effort was required. Breaking down the hospitality figures is the President of ADISURC, Emilio Di Marzio:

“As Adisurc we were called upon to make a major effort, primarily in terms of accommodation capacity. We went from 756 to 1779 beds: a small miracle achieved thanks to the collaboration with the University. We are trying to guarantee the same services we provide to students throughout the academic year, from room cleaning to the courtesy kit for athletes renewed every three days, and the washer-dryer service. Added to this is the extraordinary scale of catering, where we have gone from 1500 to 3000 meals a day. We will try to adapt to international athletic and sporting needs with dedicated menus, with particular attention to the Mediterranean Diet, the pride of the event. There is an intense organisational effort for an event that places Salerno, Campania and the country at the centre.”

The enthusiasm and dedication behind the scenes have been the driving force of this enterprise, as recalled by the Director General of the University of Salerno, Gianluca Basile:

“An event open to young people from all over the European universities world is a special occasion, driven by the passion of the University and Adisurc staff, who are following these additional activities on top of their ordinary work. A great organisational machine, the Fisciano and Baronissi campuses are at the centre of the event, with the halls of residence, the canteen and the sports facilities. We will also take European students around the local areas to discover the artistic and cultural beauties.”

The Values of Sport: Beyond the Competition

The European Universities Games Salerno 2026 are not just about medals and draws, but a moment of gathering and shared growth. This was strongly reiterated by the EUSA Honorary President, Adam Roczek:

“Students from numerous European universities will play together. Sport goes beyond competition; it is about inclusion, cooperation and thinking about the future. The staff and citizens will all be involved in the event, which will surely leave an indelible mark on our minds for a long time, especially due to the contribution of so many volunteers, and the infrastructures that have been redeveloped. Campania as the first region in Italy and Salerno started this journey with the Universiade, congratulations on this new challenge.”

Closing the speeches was the Mayor of Salerno, Vincenzo De Luca, tracing an unbreakable bond between the history of the city and the message of peace conveyed by sport:

“This event is an act of courage taken by our university, matched by full support from the Region last year and now from the City Council. Sport, culture, peace and development: these are the values of the event. We are in full continuity with the 2019 Universiade when, as a Region, we decided to invest with equal courage, and I believe this event positively reflects the credibility gained at that time. Sport is an important opportunity to spread sporting values in a complicated moment in the life of the world. We reconcile ourselves after many centuries with the cultural history of Europe; Salerno was the first university community (‘Universitas’) in Europe, where medicine, law and philosophy were studied and taught. Thus, we relaunch a great history that our university is bringing back to the fore with important work by the Rector. Salerno and the University as places of testimony to rebuild fundamental key values, primarily peace. The event is an opportunity for the development of relationships of solidarity, knowledge, friendship, and respect. Without dialogue, it becomes impossible to maintain peace. And with peace, human civilisation develops. The image of the palm tree in Piazza della Libertà accompanies the event, involving the entire provincial territory with 13 municipalities: a moment of revival for Europe and European voices. We will have an extraordinary result and we will be able to project the University, its great cultural history, Salerno, the South and Campania into the world as virtuous realities where we never give up, thanks to important values like those of sport.”

The Spectacle of the Ceremony: What to Expect

Danilo Cunsolo, University Ceremonial Officer, finally revealed what will happen on Saturday evening. In addition to the traditional and highly anticipated parade of athletes and the customary oaths, the evening will celebrate the identity of the Mediterranean and the glorious tradition of the Schola Medica Salernitana. We will see dancers performing in a luminous setting inspired by the sea, in a mix of solemnity and spectacle. To end on a high note, pure energy and lots of music with a performance by Les Votives, fresh from their success on X Factor, accompanied by the overwhelming enthusiasm of Splash, the official mascot who has already become the symbol of the Games.

How to take part? Starting today, from 6:30 PM, the booking form to attend the Ceremony is officially open to the public. You can find all the details on the event website www.eug2026.eu and on the University portal www.unisa.it.

Get ready, the show is about to begin!

Book your ticket for the opening ceremony