2026 Mediterranean Games

Last updated

XX Mediterranean Games
2026 Mediterranean Games Logo.jpg
Host city Taranto
CountryItaly
MottoPlay Mediterranean! [a]
Nations27 (expected)
Events211 in 28 sports
Opening21 August 2026
Closing3 September 2026
Main venue Stadio Erasmo Iacovone
Website ta2026.com

The 2026 Mediterranean Games (Italian : Giochi del Mediterraneo 2026), officially known as the XX Mediterranean Games (Italian: XX Giochi del Mediterraneo) and commonly known as Taranto 2026, is a upcoming international multi-sport event in the Mediterranean Games series that is scheduled to be held from 21 August to 3 September 2026 in Taranto, Italy. Taranto was announced as the host city at the ICMG General Assembly in Patras, Greece, on 24 August 2019.

Contents

The games were originally set to be held from June 13 to 23, but were moved to August 21 to September 3 to avoid the peak summer weather, as well as to not clash with any other major sporting events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would allow more high-level athletes to participate. [1] The event return to its traditional 4-year cycle following the 2021 Mediterranean Games postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bidding process

In July 2019, the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM) announced the end of the candidature process and the sole candidate city, Taranto, for the 2026 Games, [2] and on 24 August, Taranto was awarded the 2026 Games following a unanimous vote by the CIJM. [2] [3] [4] [5]

2026 Mediterranean Games
bidding results
CityNOCVotes
Taranto Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Unanimous

Development and preparation

Venues

Venue will be spread across the city of Taranto, its namesake province, and the surrounding region of Apulia. Several venues will be newly built or renovated. [6]

VenueCityEventsCapacityStatus
Stadio Erasmo Iacovone Taranto Ceremonies27,584Existing
Football
Stadio di atletica Giuseppe Valente  [ it ]Athletics3,000New
Magna Grecia Tennis CenterTennis1,000 (center court)
PalaricciardiFencing1,000
PalaMazzola  [ it ]Volleyball5,000Existing
Torre d'Ayala Swimming StadiumAquatics (swimming, water polo, fin swimming)2,000
1,000		New
Taranto Urban CircuitRoad cycling3,500Temporary
Roller skating
Triathlon
Giardini Peripato  [ it ]3x3 basketball1,000
Parco CiminoCanoeing1,000New
Rowing
Torpediniere Nautical CenterSailing1,000
Salinella Urban CenterPadel1,000
Skateboarding1,000
Stadio Franco Fanuzzi Brindisi Football7,500Existing
PalaPentassuglia Volleyball3,534
PalaTifo Castellaneta Table Tennis900
PalaConversano Conversano Handball2,800
Nuovo Palazzetto Dello Sport Crispiano Archery1,000New
Palazzetto dello Sport Fasano Handball2,000Existing
Stadio Giovanni Paolo II Francavilla Fontana Football2,137
Palatifo e Tenso StrutturaBadminton250
Grottaglie Sports Hall Grottaglie Artistic gymnastics3,000
Handball900
Stadio Via del mare Lecce Football31,461
PalaventuraVolleyball1,300
Itria Valley Martina Franca Road cycling3,500Temporary
Palasport Giovanni Paolo II  [ it ] Massafra Volleyball1,450Existing
Taekwondo800
PalaMontemesola Montemesola Bowls900
Horse Club Terra Jonica San Giorgio Ionico Equestrian1,000
San Giorgio Jonico Sport HallBoxing1,000New
Weightlifting500
Palastra di Quartiere Statte Handball750Existing
Palazzetto Albano Torricella Shooting1,000
600

The Games

Sports

24 Olympic sports will be contested and also 3 non-Olympic ones, with 5 team sports. [7]

2026 Mediterranean Games sports programme

Demonstration sports

In addition, 3 demonstation sports will be contested. [8]

Participating nations

Athletes from 26 member nations of the CIJM are eligible to participate in the Games.

Participating National Committees

Marketing

Emblem

The emblem for the 2026 Mediterranean Games was unveiled on 14 December 2019 at the Palace of Taranto. [9] [10] It was designed by the Istituto Comprensivo Gaetano Salvemini as part of a contest announced in May by the Municipality of Taranto. [10] Resembling the Sailor Monument in the city, the emblem is formed up of two anthropomorphized x's that compose the number 20 written in Roman numerals. [10]

Mascot

The mascot is Ionios, a dolphin carrying a torch. The dolphin is the symbol of Taranto. [11]

Notes

  1. ↑ Only an English motto will be used during the Games. There is no Italian equivalent of the motto adopted.

References

  1. ↑ "New dates for the 20th Mediterranean Games "Taranto 2026"". cijm.org.gr. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 "The city of Taranto candidate for the XX Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Taranto will organize the 20th Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Olympic Highlights 22/07/2019". Olympics. 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "A Taranto i XX Giochi del Mediterraneo. Malagò: 'che orgoglio, Italia protagonista assoluta nel 2026'" (in Italian). Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  6. ↑ "Ufficiale, a Taranto i Giochi del Mediterraneo 2026. E arrivano i fondi per il Via del Mare". www.calciolecce.it. 24 August 2019.
  7. ↑ "Games". www.ta2026.com. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "ICMG Coordination Commission concludes productive visit to Taranto for the 2026 Mediterranean Games". ICMG. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Taranto 2026: The official logo of the Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 "Storia dei Giochi ed Edizioni" (in Italian). Taranto. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Ionios, mascot of the Mediterranean Games". Mediterranean Games Committee. 2023.
Preceded byMediterranean Games
Taranto
2026		Succeeded by
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