European Week of Sport

The first-ever European Week of Sport (EWOS) took place in September 2015 with the official opening in Brussels. Over the years, it has become a traditional project, with an annual campaign. Starting from 2017, the dates of EWOS have been unified, and the European Week of Sport is taking place every year between September 23 and 30, just after the International Day of University Sport (September 20).

The European Week of Sport aims to promote sport and regular physical activity under the slogan #BeActive. It focuses specifically on grassroots initiatives, generating new activities and also building on already existing successful initiatives in the European, national, regional or local context. It addresses all sectors of society in Europe through a wide variety of activities, demonstrations, and festivals.

This campaign highlights the power of sport to promote tolerance, strengthen a sense of citizenship, and foster social inclusion. By encouraging people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels to get involved, it addresses key challenges facing European society while showcasing sport’s unifying role. 

In order to make the initiative successful, the European Commission involved national coordinators and partnered up with key stakeholders. As an official partner, EUSA took the challenge to increase awareness of the importance of sports among students in Europe, both directly and through its members and partners. EUSA is promoting the campaign through its events and activities every year.
For the first edition in 2015, EUSA used not only the standard publications and media channels, but also its 19 European Universities Championships and the events under EUSA patronage to inform about the European Week of Sport, #BeActive campaign and the importance of physical activity and participation in sports. Both types of events were held in different parts of Europe throughout the year and directly involved over 6000 active participants, not counting the supporters, spectators, organisers and volunteers.

During the 2015 EUSA Conference, the European Week of Sport was presented by the European Commission representative, and highlights of the EUSA planned activities were given to the over 180 participants from 34 European countries. 

EUSA is paying special attention in promoting the European Week of Sport and the #beactive campaign through its events and activities throughout the year. As an official partner EUSA took the challenge to increase awareness on importance sports and recreation among the students in Europe, both directly and through its members and partners.

Over the years, EUSA has remained committed to promoting physical activity through the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, organising activities, attending key players’ seminars and also taking part in initiatives such as the #BeActiveAtHome in 2020.

In recent years, the campaign's success has increased sharply, obtaining outstanding results. The 2024 edition of EWOS saw 15 million people participate in more than 50,000 activities organised by sport federations, local clubs, schools, and sport organisations, doubling the number of activities held in 2023.

In 2025, it was time for the 10th edition of the European Week of Sport, celebrating a decade of inspiring people to embrace active lifestyles, promote healthier digital habits, and continue motivating everyone to #BeActive. The success was even greater than in the previous edition, with more than 15 million people participating in 80,000 activities held across 39 countries.

EUSA joined the celebrations in multiple ways: from organising activities during the European Universities Rowing Championship in Poland, to participating in the official opening of the European Week of Sport in Denmark, as well as engaging office staff in sport activities and encouraging members and partners to celebrate these initiatives in their own way.

We warmly encourage our members and partners to join us in marking the European Week of Sport. Let's together celebrate the power of sport, promote healthy lifestyles, and inspire even more students and communities across Europe to get active!

EUSA also encourages our member federations and universities that take part in our events to organise their own activities, with special emphasis on sport and education.

For more information about the European Week of Sport, please see
https://sport.ec.europa.eu/week/about.