European Region of Sport 2026: we hosted the jury members of the ACES Europe Association in the Veszprém-Balaton region

Veszprém, together with the Balaton region, is competing for the title of European Region of Sport 2026. One of the most important steps on the road to this prestigious recognition was the visit of the ACES Europe international jury, during which the delegation visited the region's most important sports venues and met with the , experts, and decision-makers behind the project.

Between July 15 and 18, a four-member delegation from ACES Europe arrived in Veszprém and the Bakony-Balaton region to see for themselves the vitality of the region's sports life, infrastructure, and community commitment. The jury members, Gian Francesco Lupattelli, founding president of ACES Europe, André de Jeu, director of the Association of Sports and Municipalities, sports educator Werner Schleicher, and Hugo Alonso, Secretary General of ACES Europe, visited the region from Eplény to Veszprém and Balatonfüred sports facilities in order to familiarize themselves with the local recreational and competitive sports opportunities, ranging from beach volleyball and ballet to sailing.

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During the delegation's visit, they toured several iconic sports venues in the region, including the Vibe Park in Eplény, the Veszprém Sports Swimming Pool, the sports fields of the Pannon University campus, the ActiCity Dance and Movement Center, as well as water sports and outdoor exercise venues in Balatonalmádi and Balatonfüred, including the Nereus water sports center, Wesselényi beach, Forrás Sportpark, and Kékeslag Port marina. On Thursday, the jury was able to learn more about the previously submitted projects during a presentation at the ActiCity Dance and Movement Arts Center. presentation held at the ActiCity Dance and Movement Arts Center.

Preparing for the title will take several months, an active process that began a year ago: workshops, strategic consultations, and public discussions involving local sports clubs, and civil organizations, the project to enjoy the support of the entire community. In addition to the professional program, the jury members also had the opportunity to meet with the main players behind the project, the professional advisory board , Alíz Markovits, the CEO of Veszprém-Balaton 2023 Zrt., the company that put together the bid, Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development, Gyula Porga, Mayor of Veszprém, Péter Ovádi, Member of Parliament, and Balázs Kiss, professional advisor to the Veszprém-Balaton European Sports Region2026 bid.

On Thursday afternoon, during a press conference , the jury evaluated the two-day visit and the experiences gained during the competition presentations.
Gian Francesco Lupattelli, founder and president of ACES EUROPE, said that it is clear how much work and cooperation went into the project. "It is clear that culture and sport go hand in hand in the region, and it has also become apparent that all the experience gained from the European Capital of Culture competition has been incorporated into this high-quality application.”

The mayor of Veszprém, Gyula Porga, said: „Our project is not just about winning another title, but about making Veszprém and the Bakony-Balaton region more livable, about enabling as many people as possible to experience the joy of movement, regardless of age, gender, or physical condition. To make this vision a reality, we need everyone. The next step to success is for the people living here to take advantage of this new opportunity.

Hugo Alonso, the organization's secretary general, concluded the assessment with these words: "The Veszprém-Balaton European Sport Region 2026 application includes all the objectives that contribute to the development of the region's sports infrastructure and the promotion of sports and physical activity among the population."2026 bid encompasses all the goals that contribute to having as many active people as possible in the region. This provides a strong basis for winning the title. As Werner Schleicher put it: "It was one of the best presentations we have ever heard!"

The jury will have the opportunity to meet the other finalists at a gala dinner held at the ActiCity Dance and Movement Arts Center on the evening of the competition.to meet the other economic, civil, and political figures behind the competition, as well as representatives from the world of sports.

On this evening, it was also revealed that Gian Francesco Lupattelli, founder and president of ACES Europe, the association that decides on the awarding of the European Sports Region title, Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development, appointed Alíz Markovits, to put together the Veszprém-Balaton European Sport Region 2026 bid. the CEO of Veszprém-Balaton 2023 Zrt. as the Hungarian representative of ACES Europe. This means that from now on, there will also be a Hungarian delegate on the evaluation committee.

The jury's decision on whether Veszprém and the Balaton region will win the title of European Region of Sport 2026 the jury's decision is expected on July 30. One thing is already certain: public values and a passion for sport have once again brought the region's players closer together.