The countdown continues. With 57 days remaining, anticipation is building for one of the most prestigious events on the continental calendar, the Senior European Judo Championships, set to take place from 16 to 19 April at the impressive Tbilisi Sports Palace. After a 17-year absence, the Championships return to the Georgian capital, a city where judo is not simply a sport but a national passion.
Tbilisi Sports Palace stands as a modern, internationally compliant venue, equipped with the technical infrastructure required to deliver a championship of the highest calibre. From broadcast facilities to athlete preparation areas, every detail is aligned with elite sporting standards.
The competition will be staged exclusively in the individual format, featuring:
- Seven men’s weight categories (-60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, +100kg)
- Seven women’s weight categories (-48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg, +78kg)
Over four intense days, Europe’s finest judoka will battle for continental supremacy in what promises to be a defining moment of the 2026 season.
Georgia’s relationship with judo is legendary. Olympic champions, Olympic medallists, world champions, world medallists and European title holders have emerged consistently from this proud judo nation. The return of the Championships to Tbilisi is not only symbolic, it is deeply meaningful.
The Georgian Judo Federation carries an enormous reputation for organisational excellence. Known for hosting events of the highest international standard, the team combines operational precision with a truly unmatched hospitality. Backed by passionate crowds who understand every nuance of the sport, the atmosphere inside Tbilisi Sports Palace is expected to be electric.
Levan Nozadze, President of the Georgian Judo Federation, expressed the scale of the responsibility:
“Hosting the European Judo Championships is both a great responsibility and an honour for our federation. Together with our partners and the European Judo Union, we are fully committed to delivering an event that meets the highest organisational and sporting standards. Tbilisi is preparing with great dedication to welcome Europe’s top athletes, officials and fans for four days of world-class judo.”
Seventeen years is a long wait for a city so deeply rooted in judo tradition. Now, the continental championship returns to a stage that understands its significance, where every ippon is celebrated and every contest analysed with expert eyes. With just 57 days to go, preparations intensify. Europe’s best are coming. Tbilisi is ready.
Information on ticket sales will be released soon!
Author: Szandra Szogedi