Korça has been named the European Capital of Sport for 2026, placing the city among 21 European cities that will lead major sports initiatives and activities throughout the year.

Moreover, the mayor of Korça, Sotiraq Filo, told RTSH’s “Good Morning Albania” that the recognition highlights the city’s strong sports tradition and shows its commitment to developing sports infrastructure and supporting local sporting events.

“Korça has a historic tradition in sports. We have always supported sports, not only for teams but also to promote general sporting activities. This encourages a healthy lifestyle, educates young generations, and involves the entire community. These factors helped Korça earn this title,” Filo said.

He added that the city will invest heavily in sports infrastructure to make the most of this recognition.

“For example, we are fully renovating the Sports Palace and modernizing it to host all sports events planned for 2026. In addition, we plan to organize a city marathon, an event never held in Korça before. This initiative will engage more citizens in physical activity and promote sports as part of daily life,” Filo explained.

Korça has produced many successful athletes across various disciplines and fosters a passionate sports community. Therefore, the European Capital of Sport title will strengthen this enthusiasm and place the city at the center of Europe’s sporting spotlight.