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What are the European Para Championships?

All info on the new quadrennial, multisport tournament

This summer, Rotterdam plays host to the first quadrennial European Para Championships – the multisport tournament bundling the best of elite para sports in one location, to bring para sports to the people. It will be staged every four years and will always be hosted by a major European city in the year preceding the Paralympic Games. In 2023, the European Championships of ten different parasports will be organized simultaneously in one host city, for the very first time. The inaugural edition will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands from Tuesday 8 to Sunday 20 August 2023. At the event, 1,500 Paralympic athletes from forty-five different European countries will compete to become European Champions.

All sports that are part of the European Para Championships 2023 have a direct connection to the Road to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Paralympic Qualifying Points can be earned during this event. Some sports even involve direct qualification for Paris 2024. By combining multiple European Para Championships on one occasion, we will create cross-pollination between sports federations, associations and other stakeholders.

Mission

The mission of the European Para Championships is to create a new standard for Paralympic sports events worldwide and to inspire people – with or without disabilities, rich or poor, young or old and regardless of background – to take up sports and exercise. We believe that only cooperation can help us succeed in this mission. By making connections, thinking big and believing in opportunities where others see limitations, we want to give adaptive sports the attention it deserves.

Legacy

It is important to emphasize that the European Para Championships will not be a one-off event. Besides organizing the inaugural edition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2023, the organizing committee develops the concept, scenario and event in such a manner that it will serve as a solid basis for guaranteeing the continuity of the event on the European sports calendar in 2027, 2031 and beyond.

 

Venues

Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, will host the inaugural edition of the European Para Championships in 2023. The main hub, and therefore the venue for multiple sports, is Rotterdam Ahoy. In addition to this exceptional world-class indoor location, the European Para Championships 2023 will also use various outdoor venues in the heart of Rotterdam. These ‘city center courts’ ensure that the parasports come to the people, instead of the other way around. In this way, we present unique para sports in a high-quality way to Rotterdam and its residents & visitors. This allows them to get acquainted with parasport of the highest level. Enjoy top sports at unique locations!

Rotterdam Ahoy

Most of the competitions will take place in Rotterdam Ahoy, without a doubt one of the best and most professional event venues in the Netherlands. Very well known as the ‘biggest on earth’ since 1971. It offers a base for international artists, top sports professionals, politicians and celebrities. It switches effortlessly from a Justin Bieber concert to the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Another perfect example of Rotterdam Ahoy’s extensive possibilities is the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place there in May 2021. Of course, Rotterdam Ahoy is also perfectly accessible for disabled visitors. The same applies to any other locations that will be used during the event.

 

City Center Courts

Many outdoor locations in Rotterdam will also be the scene of battles for medals. For example, the finals of the Para Archery will be held on the Kop van Zuid and the best wheelchair tennis players will compete for gold on the Schouwburgplein. With these “city center courts” the organization brings the parasport to the people and presents the sports in a unique way to the city, its inhabitants and visitors.

 

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News

Teaser EPC2023 documentary

Teaser EPC2023 documentary

Extraordinary impact achieved through the 2023 European Para Championships

Extraordinary impact achieved through the 2023 European Para Championships

All of Viktoria Modesta’s performances at the EPC2023 Opening Ceremony

All of Viktoria Modesta’s performances at the EPC2023 Opening Ceremony

Watch the #EPC2023 aftermovie

Watch the #EPC2023 aftermovie

Eric Kersten: ‘We have put this event on the map for the future’

Eric Kersten: ‘We have put this event on the map for the future’

Para sport got the attention it deserves!

Para sport got the attention it deserves!

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Straathof will always remember the goosebump moments

Straathof will always remember the goosebump moments

Magical visit at European Para Championships

Magical visit at European Para Championships

Belgian archer Vanhollebeke dedicates European title to late father

Belgian archer Vanhollebeke dedicates European title to late father

Of all the strong Wheelchair Basketball teams in Europe, GB is the strongest

Of all the strong Wheelchair Basketball teams in Europe, GB is the strongest

Shak Siyya invites everybody to come to Shooting Para Sport

Shak Siyya invites everybody to come to Shooting Para Sport

Shooter Csaba Rescsik young, but experienced

Shooter Csaba Rescsik young, but experienced

European Cycling Union UEC donates tree to Rotterdam

European Cycling Union UEC donates tree to Rotterdam

Peter den Boogert inspires visitors EPC2023 to go handbiking

Peter den Boogert inspires visitors EPC2023 to go handbiking

European Para Championships donates clothing to Sportspullenbank

European Para Championships donates clothing to Sportspullenbank

Para Archery Finals at Kop van Zuid

Para Archery Finals at Kop van Zuid

World record and European title for shooter Vadovicova

World record and European title for shooter Vadovicova

With family by his side, cyclist Schindler grabs gold

With family by his side, cyclist Schindler grabs gold

Time trial day at Willem-Alexanderbaan

Time trial day at Willem-Alexanderbaan

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Dutch Wheelchair Basketball women take title at European Para Championships

Dutch Wheelchair Basketball women take title at European Para Championships

Every #EPC2023 day in a minute

Every #EPC2023 day in a minute

Dutch Para badminton players draw lots of attention

Dutch Para badminton players draw lots of attention

Fleur Jong also has to work hard in Ahoy

Fleur Jong also has to work hard in Ahoy

Willem-Alexander Baan: Para Cycling Course for this weekend

Willem-Alexander Baan: Para Cycling Course for this weekend

Belgian Para-Archers shoot their way to the finals

Belgian Para-Archers shoot their way to the finals

Gold for Dutch tandem duo Tristan Bangma and Patrick Bos

Gold for Dutch tandem duo Tristan Bangma and Patrick Bos

Just a week after clinching World gold, the French cyclers now claim the European title

Just a week after clinching World gold, the French cyclers now claim the European title

Wheelchair Basketball players Spain and GB to European Championship final and Paralympic Games

Wheelchair Basketball players Spain and GB to European Championship final and Paralympic Games

Scheepvaart<wbr>kwartier, the battleground of Para Cycling

Scheepvaartkwartier, the battleground of Para Cycling

Frenchman Fabien Morat wants to break down barriers, even after retirement

Frenchman Fabien Morat wants to break down barriers, even after retirement

Young generation grabs its chance in Shooting Para Sport

Young generation grabs its chance in Shooting Para Sport

SportNXT-congress focuses on Para sports

SportNXT-congress focuses on Para sports

Travel To City Centre Court – Scheepvaart<wbr>kwartier

Travel To City Centre Court – Scheepvaartkwartier

Spectacle in Ahoy, but we also go back into town

Spectacle in Ahoy, but we also go back into town

Netherlands and Great Britain qualify for women’s Wheelchair basketball final and earn ticket for 2024 Paralympic Games

Netherlands and Great Britain qualify for women’s Wheelchair basketball final and earn ticket for 2024 Paralympic Games

Para Taekwondo speaks a universal language

Para Taekwondo speaks a universal language

Guillaume shoots with his mouth, and he’s used to that

Guillaume shoots with his mouth, and he’s used to that

We’ve reached 1 million live stream views on TikTok!

We’ve reached 1 million live stream views on TikTok!

String tension of the highest level in Rotterdam

String tension of the highest level in Rotterdam

CM.com and European Para Championships make it easier for visitors

CM.com and European Para Championships make it easier for visitors

Taekwondoka Munro: European title is ‘cherry on top of the cake’

Taekwondoka Munro: European title is ‘cherry on top of the cake’

Father and brother Twigt can’t be missed this EPC

Father and brother Twigt can’t be missed this EPC

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Country combos achieve success in doubles badminton

Country combos achieve success in doubles badminton

For John Licht giving up was never an option

For John Licht giving up was never an option

Dutch wheelchair basketball team wins their pool

Dutch wheelchair basketball team wins their pool

Elisabetta Mijno breaks Para Archery World Record during #EPC2023

Elisabetta Mijno breaks Para Archery World Record during #EPC2023

‘As a child I was already in love with taekwondo’

‘As a child I was already in love with taekwondo’

Para Archery: ‘’Take your binoculars for an even more impressive view’’

Para Archery: ‘’Take your binoculars for an even more impressive view’’

Afghan refugee Khudadadi clinches European Para Taekwondo title

Afghan refugee Khudadadi clinches European Para Taekwondo title

Visible and invisible work for a sustainable event

Visible and invisible work for a sustainable event

Para Taekwondo, where para is only visible in the name

Para Taekwondo, where para is only visible in the name

Some glowing about all the experiences, others excited about what is to come

Some glowing about all the experiences, others excited about what is to come

Mendel Op den Orth plays a final every day

Mendel Op den Orth plays a final every day

A venue like no other: Schouwburgplein

A venue like no other: Schouwburgplein

Diede de Groot and Niels Vink win European titles at Schouwburgplein

Diede de Groot and Niels Vink win European titles at Schouwburgplein

From goalball player to co-commentator: Tom Vanhove enjoys competitions in Rotterdam

From goalball player to co-commentator: Tom Vanhove enjoys competitions in Rotterdam

Niels Vink takes gold at Schouwburg<wbr>plein

Niels Vink takes gold at Schouwburgplein

Mother and European champion: boccia player Carla Oliveira shows it can be done

Mother and European champion: boccia player Carla Oliveira shows it can be done

Niels Vink and Sam Schröder win gold medals at Schouwburgplein

Niels Vink and Sam Schröder win gold medals at Schouwburgplein

Three gold medals for the Netherlands

Three gold medals for the Netherlands

TikTok Schedule: These sports will be front and center on our TikTok live stream!

TikTok Schedule: These sports will be front and center on our TikTok live stream!

A special day at the Schouwburg<wbr>plein

A special day at the Schouwburgplein

Just father and playing a championship, it’s all very special

Just father and playing a championship, it’s all very special

Bo Kramer hopes to inspire young girls

Bo Kramer hopes to inspire young girls

Goalball: the best Championship ever held

Goalball: the best Championship ever held

TikTok generation embraces Goalball during European Para Championships

TikTok generation embraces Goalball during European Para Championships

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Boccia turns out to be crowd pleaser in Ahoy

Boccia turns out to be crowd pleaser in Ahoy

Day tickets for Rotterdam Ahoy: arrive on time!

Day tickets for Rotterdam Ahoy: arrive on time!

Ottobock can, even on busy days, repair anything

Ottobock can, even on busy days, repair anything

Day 3 in a minute

Day 3 in a minute

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

IPC-president Andrew Parsons: ‘It’s amazing to be here’

IPC-president Andrew Parsons: ‘It’s amazing to be here’

How does classification work in Wheelchair Basketball?

How does classification work in Wheelchair Basketball?

Nerves play tricks on Dutch goalball players

Nerves play tricks on Dutch goalball players

Diede and Aniek to final women’s singles tennis

Diede and Aniek to final women’s singles tennis

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Paralympic champion Skelley (GBR) takes silver at EPC2023

Paralympic champion Skelley (GBR) takes silver at EPC2023

Tennis final in the heart of the city, that is absolutely new

Tennis final in the heart of the city, that is absolutely new

Goalball shows that visual impairments don’t hold us back

Goalball shows that visual impairments don’t hold us back

“This championship is alive and kicking, we notice that people want to be here”

“This championship is alive and kicking, we notice that people want to be here”

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Historic gold and stepping stone towards Paris

Historic gold and stepping stone towards Paris

Paralympic sport ready for new step, for new audience

Paralympic sport ready for new step, for new audience

Opening Ceremony Behind The Scenes

Opening Ceremony Behind The Scenes

‘Karatekas with disabilities are allowed to be there too’

‘Karatekas with disabilities are allowed to be there too’

Newsroom PR.Co launched for European Para Championships

Newsroom PR.Co launched for European Para Championships

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Social Spotlight: The Best of #EPC2023

Opening Ceremony marks start of the first ever European Para Championships

Opening Ceremony marks start of the first ever European Para Championships

Preview Wheelchair Tennis

Preview Wheelchair Tennis

Are you traveling to Rotterdam Ahoy by public transportation? Earn a cup of coffee!

Are you traveling to Rotterdam Ahoy by public transportation? Earn a cup of coffee!

Volunteer Kick Off EPC 2023 at Rotterdam Ahoy

Volunteer Kick Off EPC 2023 at Rotterdam Ahoy

Preview Para Judo

Preview Para Judo

Follow the Opening Ceremony live

Follow the Opening Ceremony live

Volunteers primed and ready to start EPC2023

Volunteers primed and ready to start EPC2023

Preview Boccia

Preview Boccia

Everything you need to know regarding #EPC2023

Everything you need to know regarding #EPC2023

European Para Championships 2023 introduces Paraverse

European Para Championships 2023 introduces Paraverse

Blind stand during EPC2023

Blind stand during EPC2023

Davina Michelle set to perform at the Opening Ceremony

Davina Michelle set to perform at the Opening Ceremony

Jeroen Straathof: From athlete to Tournament Director at EPC 2023

Jeroen Straathof: From athlete to Tournament Director at EPC 2023

Iris Enthoven tries Goalball: A look behind final training for EPC 2023

Iris Enthoven tries Goalball: A look behind final training for EPC 2023

European Para Championships 2023 welcomes TikTok as Official Media Partner

European Para Championships 2023 welcomes TikTok as Official Media Partner

Experience the EPC2023 App like never before!

Experience the EPC2023 App like never before!

#5 Volunteers speaking: Family Spetter’s story about the EPC 2023

#5 Volunteers speaking: Family Spetter’s story about the EPC 2023

Mustafa Korkmaz: Leading the way

Mustafa Korkmaz: Leading the way

Marco Dekker’s Paralympic dream

Marco Dekker’s Paralympic dream

Experience the magic of EPC 2023 through our digital impression video

Experience the magic of EPC 2023 through our digital impression video

Olympic Channel to stream all finals during the European Para Championships 2023

Olympic Channel to stream all finals during the European Para Championships 2023

Bionic Pop artist Viktoria Modesta set to perform at Opening Ceremony

Bionic Pop artist Viktoria Modesta set to perform at Opening Ceremony

Get your exclusive #EPC2023 merchandise at our webshop

Get your exclusive #EPC2023 merchandise at our webshop

Wheelchair Basketball Explained

Wheelchair Basketball Explained

The Road to the 2024 Paris Paralympics

The Road to the 2024 Paris Paralympics

#4 Volunteers speaking: Marie-Louise’s passion for volunteering

#4 Volunteers speaking: Marie-Louise’s passion for volunteering

Van Mossel becomes Official Supplier of the European Para Championships 2023

Van Mossel becomes Official Supplier of the European Para Championships 2023

Calvé becomes Official Partner to European Para Championships 2023

Calvé becomes Official Partner to European Para Championships 2023

Goalball schedule published

Goalball schedule published

European Para Championships 2023 welcomes Nederlandse Loterij as Official Partner

European Para Championships 2023 welcomes Nederlandse Loterij as Official Partner

Goalball explained

Goalball explained

EPC-organisers busy looking for future hosts

EPC-organisers busy looking for future hosts

Boccia explained

Boccia explained

#3 Volunteers speaking: Marion’s motivations as a volunteer at EPC

#3 Volunteers speaking: Marion’s motivations as a volunteer at EPC

T-Mobile becomes Official Partner of the European Para Championships 2023 in Rotterdam

T-Mobile becomes Official Partner of the European Para Championships 2023 in Rotterdam

Para Taekwondo schedule published

Para Taekwondo schedule published

Ocean Outdoor media partner of the European Para Championships

Ocean Outdoor media partner of the European Para Championships

Para Taekwondo explained

Para Taekwondo explained

Spring Media Group and European Para Championships join forces

Spring Media Group and European Para Championships join forces

Q&A with Alderman F. Achbar

Q&A with Alderman F. Achbar

Wheelchair Tennis explained

Wheelchair Tennis explained

#2 Volunteers speaking: Günter’s passion for the European Para Championships

#2 Volunteers speaking: Günter’s passion for the European Para Championships

Para Judo schedule published

Para Judo schedule published

Para Judo explained

Para Judo explained

European Para Championships Prioritizes Sustainability

European Para Championships Prioritizes Sustainability

Matrix Official Supplier of the European Para Championships 2023

Matrix Official Supplier of the European Para Championships 2023

European Para Championships and DPG Media join forces with media partnership

European Para Championships and DPG Media join forces with media partnership

Para Cycling explained

Para Cycling explained

EPC publishes details Observer programme

EPC publishes details Observer programme

Shooting Para Sport schedule published

Shooting Para Sport schedule published

#1 Volunteers speaking: Esther’s story about the European Para Championships

#1 Volunteers speaking: Esther’s story about the European Para Championships

Shooting Para Sport explained

Shooting Para Sport explained

European Para Championships welcomes Holla legal & tax as Official Supplier

European Para Championships welcomes Holla legal & tax as Official Supplier

Medux Official Supplier of the European Para Championships 2023

Medux Official Supplier of the European Para Championships 2023

RMC Personenvervoer official transport partner during EPC 2023

RMC Personenvervoer official transport partner during EPC 2023

Wheelchair Basketball schedule published

Wheelchair Basketball schedule published

Ottobock Official Supplier of European Para Championships

Ottobock Official Supplier of European Para Championships

Start ticket sales European Para Championships in Rotterdam

Start ticket sales European Para Championships in Rotterdam

Para Badminton explained

Para Badminton explained

Para Archery explained

Para Archery explained

Pre-registration ticket sales started

Pre-registration ticket sales started

Interview EPC founder Eric Kersten

Interview EPC founder Eric Kersten

Sign up as a volunteer!

Sign up as a volunteer!

Jeroen Straathof appointed as Tournament Director

Jeroen Straathof appointed as Tournament Director

Locations – from Rotterdam Ahoy to ‘city center courts’

Locations – from Rotterdam Ahoy to ‘city center courts’

The history of EPC

The history of EPC

European Para Championships coming to you in 2023

European Para Championships coming to you in 2023

What are the European Para Championships?

What are the European Para Championships?

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