Ireland gets Moving: Ministers join Sport Ireland to launch #BeActive European Week of Sport 2026

Today Sport Ireland launches European Week of Sport 2026 with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD, inviting people across the country to get active during September 23-30 by signing up to activities using the new map finder on the Sport Ireland website. This year's campaign, “#BeActive. Your Way”, carries added significance as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of 2026. 

Led by the European Commission, European Week of Sport aims to increase participation in physical activity across the EU, tackling inactivity and promoting healthier, more active lifestyles. Since it launched in 2015 it has inspired tens of millions of people across the EU to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport and physical activity.  

Members of the public can now search an interactive map of more than 500 events across the country, in every county. Eligible organisers can register their own event for free on the Sport Ireland website. A new self-service registration form built for Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies, clubs and community groups, is designed to make it as easy as possible for people to find something to get involved in close to home. 

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD said: “European Week of Sport comes at a special moment for Ireland this year, as we hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It's a chance to show, in a very practical way, what an active and connected Europe looks like. I'd encourage everyone, whatever their age or level of fitness, to find an event near them and get involved.”   

The campaign places a particular focus on young people aged 16 to 26, alongside dedicated strands for schools, workplaces, older adults, women and girls, adaptive and inclusive sport, and migrants and new communities. Most registered events are taking place between September 23-30, though a few events take place outside of the window such as Canoeing Ireland's youth event on September 19th.  

Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD said: “Sport has the power to bring communities together, improve our physical and mental health, and build a real sense of belonging. European Week of Sport, and the National Sports Policy that underpins our work all year round, are about making sure that everyone in Ireland, no matter their background or ability, has the chance to be active.”  

Alongside a packed programme of local events, nine flagship events taking place at night, will take place across Ireland. On Saturday, September 26th, #BeActive Night brings free, inclusive evening activity to communities nationwide, delivered by Ireland's eight Active Cities - Galway, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown - together with Donegal Local Sports Partnership.  

Additionally, Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena hosts a week-long #BeActive Open Week from September 23rd-30th, opening its world-class facilities to the local community for free, beginner-friendly sessions ranging from fitness classes to scuba diving, gymnastics, archery, and pan-disability sport.  

The Irish Primary PE Association's European School Sports Day sees more than 400 schools nationwide commit to 120 minutes of activity on Friday, September 25th, while GAA Healthy Clubs opens clubhouses nationwide on Saturday, September 26th for  Inclusion Day welcoming schools, disability organisations, and community groups. 

Dr Úna May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, said: “We know from every year we run this campaign that there is a huge appetite across Ireland to get out and get active together. This year we've made it easier than ever to find an event, with a live map you can search by county, activity, and audience. If your club, school, or community group is planning something for European Week of Sport, we want to hear about it, registering takes just a few minutes on sportireland.ie.”   

With young people a priority for this year's campaign, several events are aimed squarely at that age group. Fifteen Student Sport Ireland activators will run events across 15 college campuses nationwide throughout the week of September of 23rd-30th, and the Get Ireland partnership of Swim Ireland, Athletics Ireland, Cycling Ireland and Mountaineering Ireland will give people the chance to try multiple sports in one setting between September 23rd-27th. 

Mary Van Lieshout, Sport Ireland Director of Participation, Ethics, Integrity and Research, said: “Making sport and physical activity open to everyone is at the heart of what we do. Events like the Sport for All Community Connection Event, which welcomes people living in IPAS centres and Direct Provision to try sport for the first time, show what European Week of Sport is really about.  

"These events give people who might not always see themselves reflected in sport, or who experience barriers to participation in sport, a warm welcome and a way in. We encourage any organisation working with these communities to register an event and be part of European Week of Sport.” 

European Week of Sport 2026 also reaches communities not always visible in mainstream sport. On September 26th, the Sport for All Community Connection Event, will be delivered by Sport Ireland's Ethics and Integrity Unit with Active South Dublin, Sanctuary Runners, IOM Dublin, the Irish Centre for Diversity, SARI and other partners, offering a free day of beginner-friendly sport for people living in IPAS centres, Direct Provision and those with refugee status, connecting participants with local clubs and pathways to allow them to keep active afterwards.

Opening ceremony at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena  
European Week of Sport 2026 will be marked by an official opening ceremony at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus on September 23rd. 

Find an event, or register your own 
The full programme of events, the interactive map, and details on how to register an event for European Week of Sport 2026 are available to view here. Events can be registered by Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies, clubs, workplaces, schools, and community groups, and once approved appear on the map for the public to find. 

Members of the public are encouraged to follow and share using #BeActive. The European Week of Sport is co-funded by the European Union and delivered by Sport Ireland in collaboration with Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies for sport and local communities.  

Flagship European Week of Sport 2026 events at a glance:

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Selected #BeActive Night events, Saturday September 26th: 

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