The 20th Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026, 21 August to 3 September: 26 nations, over 4,000 athletes, 33 disciplines across 20 Puglian towns. Programme, venues, tickets and info.
History
In the summer of 2026 Taranto lives the most important moment of its recent history: from 21 August to 3 September the city of the two seas hosts the 20th Mediterranean Games, one of the most prestigious and long-standing multi-sport events in the world. The chosen motto is "Embrace the Future".
The Games were awarded on 24 August 2019, when the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG), meeting in Patras, chose Taranto as host. It is the fourth Italian edition after Rome and Milan 1963 and Bari 1997, and the second in Puglia, almost thirty years after the Bari Games.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1951 to unite the peoples of the three shores of the Mediterranean through sport, the Games take place every four years. For Taranto they are far more than a competition: they are an opportunity for renewal, urban regeneration and an infrastructural legacy for the whole territory.
What to see
The numbers. All 26 member nations of the ICMG take part, spanning Europe, Africa and Asia, with over 4,000 athletes and around 1,700 officials. The programme includes 33 disciplines — 27 Olympic sports plus non-Olympic and demonstration disciplines — including the new entry of 3x3 basketball. Competitions take place in around 45 venues across some twenty Puglian towns.
The ceremonies. The opening ceremony is held on 21 August at the Erasmo Iacovone Stadium in Taranto, fully renovated for the occasion; the same stadium hosts the closing ceremony at the end of the Games. The opening ceremony sold out within hours.
The sports in Taranto city. The capital hosts the headline disciplines: athletics (Valente Stadium), swimming and finswimming (Torre d'Ayala Swimming Stadium), water polo, rowing, canoe/kayak and sailing (Mar Piccolo and Torpediniere Nautical Centre), 3x3 basketball (Peripato Gardens), fencing (PalaRicciardi), volleyball (PalaMazzola), tennis, padel, triathlon, cycling, football, roller sports and skateboarding.
The sports in the province and Puglia. The competitions involve numerous towns: Martina Franca (judo, karate, wrestling), Grottaglie (artistic and rhythmic gymnastics), Massafra (taekwondo, table tennis), San Giorgio Jonico (equestrian, weightlifting, boxing), Crispiano (archery), Torricella (shooting), Montemesola (bowls), Statte (women's handball), plus Brindisi, Lecce, Fasano, Francavilla Fontana and Conversano for football, volleyball, handball and badminton.
How to follow them. The Games are broadcast free-to-air on Rai channels, the event's media partner, with live coverage and finals also streamed free on RaiPlay.
Did you know…
- The official motto is 'Embrace the Future': embracing the future through sport.
- It is the fourth Italian edition after Rome and Milan 1963 and Bari 1997.
- 3x3 basketball is one of the big new entries of the Taranto edition.
- Around 45 venues involved across some twenty Puglian towns.
- The 21 August opening ceremony sold out within hours.
Practical information
| Hours | From 21 August to 3 September 2026. Opening ceremony on 21 August at the Iacovone Stadium. |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Tickets on Vivaticket (ta2026.vivaticket.it). Free for people with a disability above 74%, on request to ticketing@ta2026.com. |
| Accessibility | Free tickets available for people with disabilities; check the conditions on the official website. |
| Getting there | The competitions take place in Taranto and some twenty Puglian towns. Check the individual venues on the official website. |
Tips for your visit
- Buy tickets only on the official Vivaticket platform: many events sell out.
- Check the official day-by-day calendar on ta2026.com.
- Many disciplines are outside Taranto: check the venue before travelling.
- Book accommodation well in advance: capacity is stretched during those two weeks.
- If you can't find tickets, many events are live on Rai and RaiPlay.