With just five days remaining until the start of the European Universities Games 2026, Salerno is ready to welcome Europe's university sport community.

The Games will officially open on 18 July at 20:30 with the Opening Ceremony at Piazza della Liberta, bringing together thousands of student-athletes, officials, volunteers and guests from across the continent.

The Opening Ceremony was presented at Salerno City Hall with a press conference, welcomed by Salerno Mayor Vincenzo De Luca, and attended by representatives of the Organising Committee, EUSA and institutional partners, highlighting the collaborative effort behind EUSA's flagship event. Hosted under the auspices of EUSA, the Games are organised by the University of Salerno, CUS Salerno and ADISURC, with the support of FederCUSI, the Campania Region, the Municipality of Salerno and numerous local partners.

Speakers underlined the significance of the Games in bringing together around 4,000 student-athletes from almost 200 universities across 31 European countries, describing the event as an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, promote intercultural exchange and showcase both the city of Salerno and its academic community. Present for the OC were University of Salerno Rector Virgilio D'Antonio, General Director Gianluca Basile, and CUS Salerno President Lorenzo Lentini.

The European Universities Games Salerno 2026 are not just about medals and draws, but a moment of gathering and shared growth. This was strongly reiterated by the EUSA Honorary President, Adam Roczek, expressing: “Students from numerous European universities will play together. Sport goes beyond competition; it is about inclusion, cooperation and thinking about the future. The staff and citizens will all be involved in the event, which will surely leave an indelible mark on our minds for a long time, especially due to the contribution of so many volunteers, and the infrastructures that have been redeveloped. Campania as the first region in Italy and Salerno started this journey with the Universiade, congratulations on this new challenge.”

The Organising Committee also highlighted the long-term legacy of the event, including investments in university sports infrastructure, expanded accommodation capacity and enhanced services for participants. University campuses in Fisciano and Baronissi will serve as the heart of the Games, providing accommodation, dining and competition facilities while welcoming participants from across Europe.

Representatives of EUSA and the local authorities emphasised that the European Universities Games extend beyond sporting competition, promoting values such as friendship, inclusion, solidarity, fair play and peace through university sport.

The official mascot of the European Universities Games 2026, Splash, was also presented to the general public during the press conference. Throughout the Games, Splash will accompany participants, officials and spectators, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the event while celebrating alongside the European university sport community.

The programme for the Opening Ceremony will feature the traditional Parade of Nations, the athletes' and officials' oaths, artistic performances celebrating the Mediterranean identity and the heritage of the Schola Medica Salernitana, as well as live entertainment music with a performance by Les Votives. The official Games mascot, Splash, will also take part in the celebrations.

A pre-event presentation was also organised in the city of Salerno on Sunday July 12, on the occasion of a city summer festival: Splash was introduced to the public, with on the stage UNISA Rector, CUS Salerno President, together with EUSA Honorary President Adam Roczek, Treasurer Francis Cirianni, and Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik.

The Opening Ceremony is open to the public, with registration available through the official EUG 2026 website.