The city of Veszprém, Hungary and its Bakony–Balaton Region have been named Sports Region of Europe 2026 by ACES Europe (European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation), the city’s official website has announced.
ACES is an NGO based in Brussels, Belgium, which is in cooperation with the EU and has been giving out the Sports Region of Europe designation annually since 2001. It recognizes cities, communities, and regions that achieve outstanding results in promoting healthy lifestyles, sports, and physical activity among their populations. The organization’s goal is to promote active lifestyles, community building, and sustainable sports development.
This year, in 2025, Asturias, Spain, has been awarded the annual title by ACES Europe.
This is not the first time Veszprém, a city of 56,000 people in the Western half of Hungary, has received international recognition recently. In 2023, it was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture by the Council of Ministers of the European Union.
In Veszprém, the most popular sports club is their men’s professional handball team, One Veszprém KC. They have won the Hungarian championship title 29 times, including in the last three seasons. They also have won international trophies, namely, the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup twice: in 1992 and 2008. Their home games are played at Veszprém Arena, with a capacity of 5,096 people, which fills up for major games.
The city’s football team, VSC 2015 Veszprém, is currently competing in the semi-professional third division of Hungarian men’s football, finishing third out of 16 teams in the North-Western Group of the league last season. However, the local futsal (indoor football) team play in the first division.
‘The Veszprém–Balaton European Sports Region 2026 application, coordinated by Veszprém–Balaton 2023 Zrt, was the result of several months of preparatory work. Local sports clubs, civil organizations, municipalities, and institutions also participated. The aim of the application was not only to win the title, but also to initiate a long-term change in attitude towards sport, promoting a healthier lifestyle for the population of Veszprém and the region, and strengthening the social integrating power of sport.
In addition to its diverse and high-quality sports infrastructure, the Veszprém–Balaton region also boasts an exceptional natural environment: the forests of the Bakony Hills, the water sports opportunities offered by Lake Balaton, the cycle paths and outdoor tracks all inspire people to get active,’ the press release on the city’s official website writes about its designation by ACES Europe.
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