Winter European Youth Olympic Festival Returns to Brașov
For the second time, the Romanian city of Brașov will host the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in 2027. Scheduled from February 14 to 21, the event will bring together young athletes aged 14 to 18. Brașov previously served as the host city for this festival in 2013, and now it once again takes center stage for these competitions.
Competition Schedule
Organizers have released the official program, which features nine sports disciplines:
- Ice hockey (boys' and girls' tournaments, 3x3 format)
- Alpine skiing (slalom, giant slalom, mixed team events)
- Snowboarding (slopestyle, snowboard cross (SBX), mixed team events)
- Cross-country skiing (freestyle and classical styles, sprint, mixed relay)
- Ski jumping (individual events, Super Team, mixed team events)
- Biathlon (sprint, individual races, single and mixed relays)
- Short track speed skating (500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m distances, relay)
- Figure skating (short and free programs, individual events)
- Ski mountaineering (vertical race, sprint, mixed relay)
At the previous EYOF in Bakuriani in 2025, Ukraine's national team earned five medals, highlighting the strong preparation of its young athletes.
The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival is a key event for up-and-coming athletes, offering them a platform to showcase their skills on an international stage. Brașov, with its prior experience in organizing such a festival, is well-equipped to provide favorable conditions for the growth of young competitors from across Europe. This edition also underscores the rising interest in winter sports among youth, which could help boost their popularity across the continent.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming festival in Brașov, it's worth noting that this event is part of a larger trend in European sports, with Istanbul also set to host major competitions. The 2027 European Games will serve as a vital qualifier for the 2028 Olympics, further emphasizing the growing significance of youth sports on the international stage.