2026 Mediterranean Games

XX Mediterranean Games
Host city	Taranto
Country	Italy
Edition	20th
Opening	21 August 2026
Closing	3 September 2026
Main venue	Stadio Erasmo Iacovone
Website	ta2026.com
	← Oran 2022 Pristina 2030 →

The 2026 Mediterranean Games (Italian: Giochi del Mediterraneo 2026), officially known as the XX Mediterranean Games (Italian: XX Giochi del Mediterraneo) and commonly known as Taranto 2026, is a forthcoming international multi-sport event in the Mediterranean Games series that is scheduled to be held from 21 August to 3 September 2026 in Taranto, Italy. Taranto was announced as the host city at the ICMG General Assembly in Patras, Greece, on 24 August 2019.

The games were originally set to be held from June 13 to 23, but were moved back to August 21 to September 3 to avoid the peak summer weather, as well as to not clash with any other major sporting events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would allow more high-level athletes to participate. ^[1]

Bidding process

In July 2019, the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM) announced the end of the candidature process and the sole candidate city, Taranto, for the 2026 Games,^[2] and on 24 August, Taranto was awarded the 2026 Games following a unanimous vote by the CIJM.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

2026 Mediterranean Games
bidding results
City	NOC	Votes
Taranto	Italy	Unanimous

Development and preparation

Venues

The following sites and venues will be concerned: Taranto, Torricella, Sava, San Giorgio Jonico, Massafra, Martina Franca, Grottaglie, Ginosa, Crispiano, Castellaneta, Lecce, Brindisi, Francavilla Fontana, Fasano, Monopoli and the Valle d’Itria for cycling. The venues that will be rebuilt or improved are: «il campo scuola al quartiere Salinella, the stadio Iacovone, the Stadio Via del Mare,^[6] the Palamazzola, the Palafiom, the pattinodromo della Salinella and the circolo Tennis.

Emblem

The emblem for the 2026 Mediterranean Games was unveiled on 14 December 2019 at the Palace of Taranto.^[7]^[8] It was designed by the Istituto Comprensivo Gaetano Salvemini as part of a contest announced in May by the Municipality of Taranto.^[8] Resembling the Sailor Monument in the city, the emblem is formed up of two anthropomorphized x's that compose the number 20 written in Roman numerals.^[8]

Mascot

The mascot is Ionios, a dolphin carrying a torch. The dolphin is the symbol of Taranto.^[9]

The Games

Sports

23 Olympic sports will be contested and also 2 non-Olympic ones, with 7 team sports.^[10]

Participating nations

Athletes from 26 nations are expected to participate in the games.

Participating National Committees
Italy (host)

References

^ "New dates for the 20th Mediterranean Games "Taranto 2026"". cijm.org.gr. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b "The city of Taranto candidate for the XX Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
^ "Taranto will organize the 20th Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
^ "Olympic Highlights 22/07/2019". Olympics. 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
^ "A Taranto i XX Giochi del Mediterraneo. Malagò: 'che orgoglio, Italia protagonista assoluta nel 2026'" (in Italian). Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
^ "Ufficiale, a Taranto i Giochi del Mediterraneo 2026. E arrivano i fondi per il Via del Mare". www.calciolecce.it. 24 August 2019.
^ "Taranto 2026: The official logo of the Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Storia dei Giochi ed Edizioni" (in Italian). Taranto. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
^ "Ionios, mascot of the Mediterranean Games". Mediterranean Games Committee. 2023.
^ "Taranto the Mediterranean Games of 2026". www.ta2026.com.

Preceded by Oran	Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026	Succeeded by Pristina

[1] "New dates for the 20th Mediterranean Games "Taranto 2026"". cijm.org.gr. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[Bid-2] "The city of Taranto candidate for the XX Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

[3] "Taranto will organize the 20th Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

[4] "Olympic Highlights 22/07/2019". Olympics. 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

[5] "A Taranto i XX Giochi del Mediterraneo. Malagò: 'che orgoglio, Italia protagonista assoluta nel 2026'" (in Italian). Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

[6] "Ufficiale, a Taranto i Giochi del Mediterraneo 2026. E arrivano i fondi per il Via del Mare". www.calciolecce.it. 24 August 2019.

[7] "Taranto 2026: The official logo of the Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

[Emblem-8] "Storia dei Giochi ed Edizioni" (in Italian). Taranto. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

[9] "Ionios, mascot of the Mediterranean Games". Mediterranean Games Committee. 2023.

[10] "Taranto the Mediterranean Games of 2026". www.ta2026.com.

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