Rieti is ready for a momentous return to the heart of athletics. From July 16 to 19, 2026, the Italian city will proudly host the European Athletics U18 Championships.
The event marks a highly anticipated and significant comeback, especially after the unfortunate cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic. Rieti 2026 is not just a sporting competition, but a comprehensive experience designed to celebrate talent, dedication, and above all, sustainability.
The event will showcase the finest young athletes from across Europe, competing in the historic Raul Guidobaldi Stadium. Over four days, Rieti will pulsate with the energy of European athletics, complemented by side events tailored for families, youth, and tourists, creating a unique atmosphere of jubilation and unity.
At the core of the initiative is the fusion of Rieti's long-standing athletics tradition with a modern vision focused on sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. Rieti 2026 will adopt an ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) framework for sustainable events, aligned with international sports standards and ISO 20121:2024 certification (sustainable event management).
Enovation Consulting, a prominent company in the sports sector with a strong sustainability focus, is a key player in the journey to Rieti 2026. The Anglo-Italian firm will play a crucial role in supporting the Rieti 2026 Organising Committee. Their task is to design and implement a strategy that not only mitigates the event's environmental impact but also promotes innovative and inclusive social practices. Enovation's approach, based on training, engagement, and awareness-raising, underscores its commitment to making Rieti 2026 a benchmark for sustainable sports events.
Rieti 2026 is not just about the competition. It's about education, awareness, and action. Specific workshops are lined up for environmental volunteers and team members, available in multiple languages, to promote responsible, conscious behaviour. These will be complemented by initiatives in collaboration with schools and local and national associations.
The goal is to address issues related to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability education. All materials, designed for a diverse audience of students, athletes, journalists, and professionals, will be collected and distributed through the digital platform Beyond Sport, created to accompany the event on both cultural and educational levels.