The 2026 European Judo Championships Seniors officially began in Tbilisi on April 16, with the Olympic Sport Palace hosting the opening day of competition. According to verified event schedules, the inaugural session featured finals in four weight categories: women’s -48kg and -52kg divisions, and men’s -60kg and -66kg classes.
The competition is taking place at the Olympic Sport Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia, as confirmed by multiple official sources including the European Judo Union’s announcement that Georgia would host the 2026 Senior Europeans. The venue has been prepared to accommodate the championship events running from April 16-19, 2026.
Day One proceedings got underway with the lighter weight classes, setting the tone for what organizers described as an immediately spectacular opening session. The tatami at the Olympic Sport Palace hosted the first medal matches of the tournament, with athletes competing for European titles in their respective divisions.
Broadcast coverage of the opening day finals was made available through RaiPlay, which provided live streaming of the -48kg, -52kg, -60kg and -66kg finals. The platform offered viewers access to the competition as it unfolded in Tbilisi, with the broadcast beginning at the start of the day’s proceedings.
The European Judo Union confirmed in March 2025 that Georgia would host the 2026 Senior Europeans, with preparations well underway for the Tbilisi event. Government officials including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Sports Minister Shalva Gogoladze were involved in finalizing the hosting agreement signed on March 21, 2025.
As the championship progresses beyond Day One, additional weight categories will be contested through April 19, 2026. The competition format follows standard European Championship procedures with preliminary rounds leading to medal matches in each division.
For global judo fans seeking to follow the remainder of the 2026 European Championships, official channels will continue to provide coverage of the event taking place in Tbilisi’s Olympic Sport Palace. The tournament represents one of the premier annual events on the European judo calendar.
To stay updated on the ongoing competition and upcoming medal matches throughout the Tbilisi event, fans can access official broadcasting platforms and the European Judo Union’s official channels for verified results and schedules.
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