Alghero, Italy will host the 2027 European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Championships, European Aquatics confirmed today, with the Sardinian city set to welcome the continent’s top open water swimmers during the last week of May 2027.
The news came moments after the final race of the open water swimming programme at the European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026. In a handover ceremony, European Aquatics General Secretary Noam Zwi passed the European Aquatics flag to Alghero’s Mayor, Raimondo Cacciotto, officially confirming the city as the next host.
Cacciotto called it a defining moment for the city:
“The handover ceremony in Paris marks a historic moment for Alghero. Hosting the European Open Water Swimming Championships in 2027 is a prestigious honour for our city and recognises the decision to invest in major outdoor sporting events as a means of promoting the region internationally and enhancing its profile.
“We are grateful to European Aquatics for the trust they have placed in Alghero, and we will ensure we are ready to welcome athletes, delegations and fans from across Europe, guaranteeing the highest standards of hospitality, organisation and a warm welcome.
“In 2027, Alghero will be the European capital of Open Water Swimming, with its sea and its city.”
European Aquatics President Antonio Silva said the decision reflects the growing appeal of Alghero’s coastline as a competition venue:
“Alghero has the natural conditions and the local commitment we look for when choosing a host city. We’re confident the athletes and everyone who travels to Sardinia in 2027 will have an excellent Championships.”
Full details on the venue and competition schedule will be released by European Aquatics closer to the event.
Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics
