The 2027 European Games take place in Istanbul, 16–27 June. Dates, the 26 sports, venues, tickets and accommodation, plus a planning timeline for companies bringing clients, dealers or employees.
In short: the 4th European Games take place in Istanbul from 16 to 27 June 2027. The programme has 26 sports, with around 50 National Olympic Committees expected. For companies planning to watch with clients, dealers or employees, the most important step is securing hotel rooms early; tickets will be sold through the official sales channels once they open.
This guide brings together what is known about the Games, the practical questions companies will face and a step-by-step planning timeline. For corporate programmes with accommodation, see our Istanbul 2027 European Games packages.
What are the European Games?
The European Games are a multi-sport event organised every four years by the European Olympic Committees (EOC). The first edition was held in Baku in 2015, the second in Minsk in 2019 and the third in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023. Istanbul was confirmed as host in 2024 and the Host City Contract was signed in 2025. The Games are delivered by the EOC together with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish National Olympic Committee.
Key facts
| Topic | What we know |
|---|---|
| Dates | 16–27 June 2027 (some competitions may start before the opening ceremony) |
| City | Istanbul |
| Sports | 26 |
| Nations | Around 50 National Olympic Committees |
| Confirmed venue | Sinan Erdem Dome (gymnastics); other venues to be announced by the organising committee |
| Olympic link | Direct quota places for Los Angeles 2028 in some sports |
Which sports are included?
The programme comprises 3x3 basketball, athletics, artistic swimming and swimming, archery, badminton, boxing, canoeing, coastal rowing, fencing, gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, aerobic, acrobatic, parkour), judo, karate, kickboxing, modern pentathlon, muaythai, padel, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, squash, sport climbing, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. Coastal rowing (beach sprint), weightlifting and squash appear at the European Games for the first time, while gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling return to the programme.
A useful point for corporate groups: several of these sports are easy for employees to try. Padel, archery, climbing, table tennis, 3x3 basketball, rowing and sailing are fun to watch and can be tried with an instructor the same day. We call this format “Watch + Try”.
How to get tickets
Tickets will be sold through the organising committee’s official sales channels; the sales calendar and prices have not yet been announced. Our advice for corporate groups: decide first which days and sports you want to watch, and keep your guest list and budget ready so you can buy group tickets quickly when sales open. Finals days and the closing weekend will be the most sought-after sessions.
Note: be cautious about ticket offers outside the official channels. We are not an official ticket seller either; in our corporate packages we coordinate session selection and purchase follow-up.
Accommodation: the scarcest resource
June is already a busy tourist month in Istanbul. Athletes, team staff, media and spectators for the Games will add to that demand. For companies, then, the critical step is not tickets but hotel rooms. Optioning a room block as soon as your group size is known reduces both price and availability risk during Games week.
When choosing a hotel, consider the distance to the venues you plan to visit, where your evening programme will be (the Bosphorus, the Old City) and airport access together. Istanbul is a big city; a hotel in the wrong location can cost your group two hours a day in traffic.
How companies can use the Games
Client hospitality
Hosting key clients and partners at a major sporting event is far more memorable than a standard dinner. In a 2–3 day programme, one session at the Games, one sports experience and a dinner on the Bosphorus make a balanced flow.
Dealer and sales incentives
Istanbul is already a strong incentive travel destination; the Games add a unique “we were there that week” memory.
Employee programmes
Companies with a sports club or wellbeing programme can run a one-day watch-and-try programme, without accommodation, for their Istanbul-based staff.
Sample programme: 3 days / 2 nights
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Airport meet-and-greet, hotel check-in, team treasure hunt in the Old City, welcome dinner |
| Day 2 | Selected Games session, then an instructor-led session in the same sport (e.g. padel or archery), Bosphorus dinner cruise |
| Day 3 | Second session or free time, airport transfer |
Planning timeline
- October 2026 – January 2027: agree the purpose (clients, dealers, employees), group size and date window; option hotels.
- February – March 2027: choose days as the session schedule is published; plan “Watch + Try” and evening programmes.
- When ticket sales open: buy group tickets through the official channels.
- April – May 2027: finalise the guest list, transfer plan and daily run sheet.
- 16–27 June 2027: the Games; project manager on the ground.
A note for athletes and teams
We have written a separate guide for athletes and teams preparing for the Games: a pre-Games preparation camp in Istanbul. For hotel + training facility packages, see athlete accommodation and training.
The information in this article is based on public sources as of October 2026; venue, session and ticket details may change as the organising committee announces them. Kurumsal Sporlar is not an official supplier of the EOC or the Istanbul 2027 organising committee.
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