The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Skopje 2025 officially began with a dazzling Opening Ceremony at the “Jane Sandanski” Sports Centre, marking the start of the country’s largest multi-sport event to date. 

From 20 to 26 July, more than 4,000 young athletes and officials from 50 nations, including the EOC Refugee Team, will compete in 15 sports across Skopje, Kumanovo, and Osijek (Croatia), celebrating friendship, fair play, and solidarity.

As part of the Opening Ceremony, a grand parade was held featuring young athletes aged 14 to 18, marching through the arena carrying their national flags, bringing with them the energy and hopes of a new European generation.

EOC President Spyros Capralos highlighted EYOF’s role as a platform for youth sport and cultural exchange and for living the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, while President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, officially declared the Festival open, describing the event as the symbol of youth, sportsmanship, and unity. 

The Ceremony blended tradition and modernity, featuring the Skopje Drumroll Orchestra, harpist Sarah Mace, and the National Opera and Ballet Choir. The Parade of Nations received thunderous applause as delegations marched in with their flags, showcasing the spirit of unity.

One of the most emotional moments came with the lighting of the Flame of Peace and Solidarity by Olympic medallist Dejan Georgievski, joined by North Macedonia’s top athletes, symbolising the start of the competitions.

The evening concluded with the premiere of the official anthem Together We Shine by Robert Bilbilov, performed live by Sarah Mace, Lara Ivanova, Yang Daddi, and Aleksandar Tarabunov, followed by an electrifying set from electronic music star Kiril Dzajkovski.

The EYOF Skopje 2025 will feature competitions in 15 sports: athletics, swimming, basketball, 3×3 basketball, handball, volleyball, judo, artistic gymnastics, road cycling, mountain biking, canoe slalom, badminton, shooting, table tennis, and taekwondo. The competitions will be held at international-standard sports venues in Skopje and Kumanovo, while the artistic gymnastics events will take place in Osijek, Croatia, in cooperation with the European Olympic Committees and the Croatian Olympic Committee.

North Macedonia was represented by around 200 young athletes, the country’s largest EYOF delegation to date. The successful realisation of the event involves hundreds of volunteers and a dedicated organising team who have worked tirelessly for months to ensure that every detail is in place.

With hundreds of volunteers and a dedicated organising team, EYOF Skopje 2025 promises a week of top-level sport, cultural exchange, and unforgettable memories for all participants.

*Information and photos courtesy of EYOF 2025  https://skopje2025.sporteurope.org/