The Romanian Paralympic Committee is set to host the inaugural Parasport Games Romania 2026 from September 1 to 5, 2026. This event marks Romania’s first national multisport competition dedicated to Paralympic sports, bringing together ten different disciplines under one banner to foster competition, performance, and the development of Paralympic sports in the country.
Over 300 athletes are confirmed to participate in this event, which will welcome more than 500 attendees from Romania and abroad. A total of ten Paralympic sports will feature competitions across eight venues in Bucharest.
All competitions will be free for the public, providing an opportunity for spectators to engage with the athletes and the spirit of the games. The event aims to consolidate various sports, which previously competed separately, into a unified format that enhances visibility and recognition for Paralympic athletes.
“Paralympic sport needs to be integrated, not separated. My own experience as an athlete shows how vital it is to have a platform to demonstrate your value and gain recognition for your results. Romania has talented athletes and significant achievements, and the next step is to provide the necessary conditions and visibility for them to continue evolving. The Parasport Games were born from this need: to bring athletes closer to the public and give Paralympic sports the recognition they deserve within Romanian sports,” stated Eduard Novak, the president of the Romanian Paralympic Committee.
Ten Sports, Over 500 Participants, and Five Days of Competitions
The Parasport Games Romania 2026 will feature ten sports: para table tennis, para swimming, para athletics, para powerlifting, wheelchair basketball 3×3, para archery, adapted judo, wheelchair tennis, para climbing, and para canoeing.
Currently, more than 300 athletes are confirmed, alongside their coaches, support staff, officials, and delegates. About 80-90 volunteers will assist in organizing the event, ensuring each sport adheres to its specific rules and classifications under the guidance of relevant specialists and federations.
The National Championships will be exclusively for Romanian athletes, and the results will play a crucial role in forming national teams for international competitions. Meanwhile, the Open events will maintain a professional standard while also welcoming participants from other countries.
The games will take place across eight accessible locations in Bucharest, including the Iolanda Balaș Soter Stadium, the National Tennis Center, and several sports complexes. These venues have been chosen for their accessibility features to accommodate individuals with disabilities and will provide dedicated signage and information for ease of navigation.
The event will be open to the public throughout its duration, with free access to the opening ceremony and all sporting competitions, requiring no prior registration.
Aiming for International Status
The international dimension will be evident from the outset through the Open competitions, which welcome athletes from outside Romania. The Romanian Paralympic Committee has invited international Paralympic committees and engaged in discussions with representatives from Hungary, Poland, Egypt, and the USA.
Raymon Blondel, the president of the European Paralympic Committee, has confirmed his attendance at the official opening ceremony on September 3.
Looking ahead, the Romanian Paralympic Committee aims to establish the Parasport Games as an annual reference platform for Paralympic sports in Romania, with increasing international participation and a goal of gaining prominence in the international competitive calendar.
The Parasport Games Romania 2026 is organized by the Romanian Paralympic Committee, with support from institutional partners such as the National Agency for Sport, the Bucharest Municipality, and the European Paralympic Committee.
Key partners and sponsors for this year’s edition include Kaufland Romania, Nike, Betano Romania, and several other organizations committed to diversity and inclusion.
