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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The 2025 European Para Youth Games (European Para Youth Games – EPYG 2025) will be held in Istanbul under the coordination of the European Paralympic Committee and the host organization of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee. This event is the most comprehensive youth sports competition in Europe designed for athletes aged 12 to 23 with impairments. Istanbul is the first Turkish city to host the European Para Youth Games.
2025 European Para Youth Games poster – Turkish National Paralympic Committee
The event will take place between 21 and 28 July 2025 at the İBB Cebeci Sports Complex and the ENKA Sports Facilities in Istanbul. The İBB Cebeci Sports Complex, serving as the main hub for all competitions, spans an area of 85,000 square meters and is equipped with infrastructure for nine different Paralympic disciplines. The ENKA Athletics Track has been specifically allocated for athletics. Istanbul’s infrastructure enables all components of the event to be concentrated within the same city and largely within a single central location.
Spor İstanbul is responsible for local execution and facility management. Türkiye’s decision to host these Games was unanimously approved by the Executive Board of the European Paralympic Committee at its July 2024 meeting. Türkiye competed against Portugal in the final bid and was selected to host Istanbul 2025.
Approximately 700 athletes from 33 countries will participate in EPYG 2025. Including coaches, technical teams and administrative staff, the total number of participants will reach 1,500. This represents the highest participation level in the history of the European Para Youth Games. There has been strong interest in the volunteer program, with over 2,000 applications received from across Türkiye for the 200 available volunteer positions.
Countries such as Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia and Ukraine are participating in the European Para Youth Games for the first time in Istanbul 2025. This participation expands the geographical reach of the Games and contributes to the broader development of the European Paralympic Movement.
Nine sports disciplines will be featured at EPYG 2025:
Para archery is being included in the EPYG program for the first time in history at Istanbul 2025. Each discipline is organized according to its own classification rules.
The official program for EPYG 2025 is planned as follows:
The competition schedule spans three days, with all discipline finals concluding on 27 July.
The Games are designed to extend beyond sporting competition. Supported by approximately 20 national and international organizations, the Discovery Program provides young athletes with opportunities for development in the following areas:
The program aims to foster not only physical but also social and mental growth among young athletes. It also offers direct interaction opportunities with members of the European Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council and various stakeholders.
Tickets for EPYG 2025 competitions are available through a dedicated ticketing platform. Tickets are offered in the following categories:
Tickets are valid for access to both the Cebeci Sports Complex and the ENKA Sports Facilities, granting entry to all events. Capacity is limited and early ticket purchase is recommended for spectators wishing to secure seating.
Istanbul 2025 is the seventh edition of the European Para Youth Games and achieves the highest participation level in EPYG history. The event serves as a key reference point in Türkiye’s bid process for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games and strengthens Istanbul’s identity as a sports city.
Raymond Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee, stated that Istanbul 2025 will open a new chapter for the European Paralympic youth movement and emphasized that athletes will carry the experience gained here forward on their journey toward future Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
The 2025 European Para Youth Games have been officially launched and will take place in Istanbul from 21 to 28 July 2025. This event, the first of its kind in Türkiye, has become the most attended edition ever organized by the European Paralympic Committee, marking its seventh edition. The opening ceremony was held on 24 July 2025 at the Cebeci Sports Complex.
European Para Youth Games (Anadolu Ajansı)
The opening ceremony began with a promotional film featuring iconic symbols of Istanbul. This film and its accompanying promotional music were produced by İlker Ulubey using artificial intelligence. After the Games’ mascot “Gli” entered the arena, teams from 33 countries paraded around the stadium. Delegations from European nations including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Poland and Sweden greeted the spectators. It was reported that more than 650 athletes participated in the parade.
The ceremony featured dance performances, light shows and a special video depicting Gli exploring Istanbul. The opening was designed as a comprehensive event blending artistic and technological elements.
European Para Youth Games (Anadolu Ajansı)
More than 1,200 participants from 33 countries took part in the Games, of whom 700 were athletes. Nine sports disciplines were included: Para athletics, Para swimming, Para judo, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, boccia, Para archery, goalball and wheelchair basketball. Para archery was introduced for the first time in the history of the European Para Youth Games through this event.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Av. Murat Aksu, President of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee, stated that the 2025 event marked a beginning for Türkiye and represented a significant milestone on the path toward hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Aksu emphasized that preparations were not limited to the organization of the event but extended to the entire Paralympic movement. He also highlighted the strong interest in the volunteer program, noting that 2,000 applications were received for 250 positions.
Aksu announced that under the Discovery Program, various educational initiatives, mental health activities and anti-doping awareness sessions would be organized for young people. Additionally, an amputee football exhibition match was planned as part of the program.
Murat Aksu, President of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee (Anadolu Ajansı)
Raymon Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee, emphasized that Istanbul’s bid for the organization was exceptionally impressive. Blondel noted that the 2025 Games successfully realized the Committee’s vision of a multi-sport event for young athletes. He added that the event was conceived in line with the principles of “growing, inspiring and competing.”
Blondel described Istanbul 2025 as “the product of countless hours of effort.” He highlighted the collaborative work carried out by teams from Türkiye and international federations throughout the preparation process.
Raymon Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee (Anadolu Ajansı)
Nuri Aslan, Deputy Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, stated that the event strengthened Istanbul’s position as a global sports hub. Aslan underscored that the success of the event was the result of immense effort and highlighted Türkiye’s efforts to integrate its sports infrastructure and youth with the Paralympic movement.
In his speech at the ceremony, Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Member of Parliament for İzmir from the AK Party and former Minister of Youth and Sports, spoke about the unifying and transformative power of sport. Kasapoğlu stated that the athletes on the field embodied determination, faith and solidarity.
Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, Member of Parliament for İzmir from the AK Party and Former Minister of Youth and Sports (Anadolu Ajansı)
National Para swimmers Meryem Nur Tunuğ and Turgut Aslan Yaraman also participated in the ceremony. Both athletes expressed their satisfaction not only with their personal goals but also with the fact that the event was being held in Türkiye.
The 2025 European Para Youth Games will be held in Istanbul between 21 and 28 July. The event will host 700 athletes from 33 countries and a total of 1,500 participants. Competitions will take place at the Cebeci Sports Complex and the ENKA Athletics Track. Nine Paralympic disciplines are included in the program. Para archery has been added to the program for the first time. The event holds strategic importance within Türkiye’s bid process for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The 2025 European Para Youth Games, organized by the European Paralympic Committee, took place in Istanbul between 21 and 28 July with the participation of 700 athletes from 33 countries. This was the first such event held in Türkiye and also the most attended European Para Youth Games to date. The opening ceremony was held on 24 July at the Cebeci Sports Complex and began with a promotional film, a parade of nations, dance performances and a light show. The event featured competitions in nine different disciplines, with para archery included for the first time. Dr. Av. Murat Aksu, President of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee, emphasized that this event marked an important step toward Türkiye’s vision of hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. European Paralympic Committee President Raymon Blondel described Istanbul’s hosting of the event as “the result of countless hours of effort.” State officials, local administrators and national athletes were also present at the opening. The ceremony was recorded as a demonstration of Türkiye’s capacity to host events in the Paralympic domain.
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July 16, 2025
Structure and Hosting
July 16, 2025
Participating Countries
July 16, 2025
Disciplines
July 16, 2025
Program and Schedule
July 16, 2025
Discovery Program
July 16, 2025
Ticketing and Seating Information
July 16, 2025
Strategic and Symbolic Significance
July 24, 2025
Opening Ceremony of the 2025 European Para Youth Games