Overview

• Palencia, Valladolid, Cáceres and Oviedo have been selected for 2026, with Palencia announced on September 8 and the others confirmed on September 9 by ACES Europe and local officials.
• ACES Europe, a Brussels-based nonprofit, grants the label for promoting sport, health and inclusion, and the distinction is not an official designation of the European Union.
• The awards are scheduled to be conferred at a ceremony in Brussels at the European Parliament toward the end of the year.
• Valladolid’s notification from ACES highlighted the introduction of a new City European of the Year prize for 2026 to recognize the leading performer among awardees.
• Cáceres detailed upcoming works including repairs at Teodoro Casado and a planned covered-pool complex in Casa Plata–Nuevo Cáceres, while Palencia and Valladolid cited high participation and extensive municipal sports facilities.