The European University Sports Association (EUSA) Executive Committee has officially confirmed Erzurum, Turkiye as the host of the inaugural European Universities Winter Games, scheduled to be held in 2028.

The successful bid, led by the Turkish University Sports Federation (TUSF), brings together a strong organising structure that includes Ataturk University, Erzurum Technical University, Bayburt University, Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, and the Erzurum Governorship. This broad institutional partnership reflects both national and local commitment to delivering a high-level international university sport event.

The 2028 Winter Games will showcase a diverse winter sports program, featuring core disciplines such as Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Volleyball. Further optional winter sports may be added to the programme, to be confirmed by EUSA at a later stage.

Competitions are planned to take place over a one-week period, combining training sessions, official competitions, and ceremonies in a compact and athlete-focused schedule.

Erzurum’s experience in hosting major winter events, including the 2011 Winter Universiade and the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival, played a key role in the attribution of the European Universities Winter Games.

Situated in eastern Turkiye, Erzurum is known for its long winters, reliable snow conditions, and established winter sports facilities. Events will be staged across different venues, most notably the Palandoken and Konakli ski resorts, which offer internationally certified slopes and modern infrastructure suitable for elite competition.

Indoor arenas and specialised facilities for ice sports and Nordic disciplines further strengthen the city’s capacity to host a comprehensive winter multi-sport event. Athletes and officials will be accommodated in modern university dormitories located close to the venues, with full catering services designed to meet international standards and diverse dietary needs.

Erzurum’s high-altitude location and reliable winter climate, characterised by long-lasting snow cover and stable cold temperatures, provide ideal conditions for winter sports. Beyond competition, the organisers also plan to host an international academic forum focusing on winter sport, sustainability, and innovation, reinforcing the educational and scientific dimension of the Games.

By integrating sport competition with academic dialogue and university leadership engagement, Erzurum 2028 aims to contribute to the long-term vision of EUSA as a leading platform for sport, education and international cooperation in Europe.

For more information, please see: tusf.org