Agreement signed to make history in Lisbon with the first European Universities Athletics Championship

The Rectorate of the University of Lisbon hosted, on Friday morning, the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Portuguese University Sports Federation (FADU Portugal), the University of Lisbon and the Portuguese Athletics Federation (FPA), formally confirming the organisation of the first edition of the European Universities Athletics Championship, scheduled to take place in Lisbon from 24 to 27 August 2027.

The ceremony was attended by the Rector of the University of Lisbon, Luís Ferreira, Vice-Rector Luís Castro, President of FADU Portugal, Diogo Salgado Braz, President of the Portuguese Athletics Federation, Domingos Castro, and President of the Lisbon Higher Education Sports Association (ADESL), Miguel Junqueiro.

This agreement represents a decisive step in the preparations for what will be a historic moment for European university sport. For the first time, athletics will have its own European Universities Championship, with Lisbon hosting the inaugural edition.

The organisation of the competition will also leave an important legacy for the city and the national sporting community. As part of the agreement, the two athletics tracks at the University Stadium of Lisbon will be refurbished, along with the lighting at the Estádio de Honra and several pieces of technical equipment essential for the sport. These improvements will strengthen the conditions for hosting major international events, while also benefiting the daily activities of athletes, students and clubs.

For FADU Portugal President Diogo Salgado Braz, the awarding of the first edition of the European Universities Athletics Championship to Portugal represents a hugely significant moment for national university sport.

“Organising the first edition of this European Universities Athletics Championship has a very special meaning for FADU Portugal. Athletics has historically been one of Portugal’s most successful sports in terms of medals, both at Olympic and university level. Being part of the birth of this competition is an enormous source of pride.”

He also highlighted the strategic vision of the University of Lisbon and the importance of the partnership established with the Portuguese Athletics Federation.

“From the very beginning, we found tremendous openness and willingness from the University of Lisbon. That vision made it possible to create all the necessary conditions to move forward with this project. At the same time, the Portuguese Athletics Federation has been an absolutely crucial partner in the technical and strategic preparation of this event. There is no one better than the sport’s national federation to help us build a championship of this scale.”

Diogo Salgado Braz also stressed that the impact of the competition will extend far beyond the four days of competition.

“The legacy will be highly significant. The refurbishment of the facilities at the University Stadium of Lisbon represents a long-term investment that will benefit not only this European Championship, but also future generations of student-athletes and the wider sporting community. We are confident that Lisbon will deliver an outstanding edition, both in terms of the number of participants it will welcome and the international exposure it will bring to Portuguese university sport.”

The Rector of the University of Lisbon, Luís Ferreira, reinforced the importance of cooperation between the three institutions.

“Above all, this agreement represents our commitment to working together for the benefit of our student-athletes and our institutions. That is an extraordinarily important objective for all of us.”

The President of the Portuguese Athletics Federation, Domingos Castro, expressed the Federation’s pride in being part of the project and highlighted the significance of the partnership established with the University of Lisbon.

“It is an honour for the Portuguese Athletics Federation to be part of this agreement with an institution as highly regarded as the University of Lisbon. We can only benefit from this partnership and from what it represents for the future of the sport.”

The signing of the agreement officially marks the beginning of preparations for an event that will bring hundreds of student-athletes from universities across Europe to Lisbon, further strengthening Portugal’s position as a leading destination for major international competitions and consolidating FADU Portugal’s role in the development of European university sport.