Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has confirmed that his city is interested in hosting the 2027 European Games. Mayor İmamoğlu was speaking about Turkiye’s 40-year ambition to host the Olympic Games at a Gala Dinner during the European Olympic Committees’ (EOC) 52^nd General Assembly in the city. Mayor İmamoğlu made a firm public commitment to become a candidate city for the fourth edition of Europe’s premier multisport event.

More than 300 delegates are in Türkiye as the European Olympic Family reflect on 2023, which saw the successful holding of the third European Games in Krakow and the Malopolska region of Poland. Mayor İmamoğlu expressed his determination for Istanbul to host the 2027 Games, explaining it would send a strong message to Europe and the world. He also expressed Istanbul’s interest in hosting the Olympic Games 2036.

“We are determined to organise the European Games in Istanbul in 2027,” said Mayor İmamoğlu. “Istanbul is a city ready for the European Games with all of its means. We believe that organising the games in Istanbul will send a strong message to Europe and the rest of the world. Istanbul is the largest metropolitan area in Europe and would create an amazing synergy for the European Olympic Committees and European sports. “

“We had a positive and productive meeting with President Spyros Capralos and I was happy to learn that we had similar visions and shared common views on sport,” continued Mayor İmamoğlu. “We want to host 2027 European Games in Istanbul and we are ready to organise the Games.”

EOC President Spyros Capralos welcomed Türkiye’s expression of interest and confirmed his belief that Istanbul has the facilities to host the event in four years’ time.

President Capralos said: “Türkiye has already demonstrated it can successfully organise major international sports events. If Istanbul decides that it would like to host the fourth edition of the European Games, the EOC would be delighted to work with the city on that potential opportunity. To host a big event like the European Games, close cooperation is required between the National Olympic Committee (NOC), the city and the government.

“The success that we saw in Poland in June and July has shown that hosting the European Games can be achieved with a strict budget. We have also seen a great legacy left in Krakow and Malopolska following the upgrading of local venues. And the event also contributed significantly to making sport a big part of the lives of young people there.”

Mr Hasan Arat, EOC Executive Committee Member, Chair of the European Games Coordination Commission and Turkish NOC Vice President, reiterated his belief that Istanbul would be an ideal host.

“Istanbul clearly has the sports infrastructure to host the Games, and is the perfect place to bring together Europe’s different cultures,” said Arat. “Of course, the decision remains responsibility of the NOC, the Minister of Sport and the government. President Erdoğan and Mayor İmamoğlu are both passionate about sport and we know that in Türkiye, everyone comes together for sporting events as a source of great national pride.”

“Over the last 20 years the sports infrastructure, city infrastructure in Istanbul has been upgraded and I am confident it has the capabilities to host an excellent European Games,” continued Arat. “Istanbul has a lot to offer and its connection with sport, the arts and culture, as well as linking Europe and Asia together, means it is the ideal location for Europe to come together in peaceful competition.”