The Eternal City is set to host one of the most prestigious events on the para-archery calendar this week, as the 2026 Para-Archery European Championships begin tomorrow at Rome’s Centro Polifunzionale della Polizia di Stato in Spinaceto. Running through May 2, the tournament will feature nearly 30 national teams competing for continental supremacy, with Italy’s elite archers—many of whom medaled at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games—poised to build a statement ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Rome’s Storied Legacy in Para-Archery

This is not Rome’s first rodeo. The city has become a cornerstone of European para-archery, having successfully hosted the 2024 European Championships and the 2025 Para-Archery Cup. The Comitato Paralimpico Italiano (Italian Paralympic Committee) has once again assembled the same organizing team, a move that reflects confidence in their ability to deliver a world-class event. “Rome has proven it can handle the pressure of international competition,” said a spokesperson for the committee. “The venues, logistics, and fan experience are all dialed in.”

The championships will unfold across two iconic locations. Qualifiers, eliminations, and bronze-medal matches will capture place at the Centro Polifunzionale della Polizia di Stato, a state-of-the-art facility in Spinaceto. The gold-medal finals, however, will shift to a more dramatic stage: the Stadio Nando Martellini, nestled within the historic Terme di Caracalla, where ancient Roman ruins provide a breathtaking backdrop for the sport’s modern elite.

The Field: 28 Nations, One Continent’s Best

The 2026 championships will feature a record 28 national teams, a testament to the rapid growth of para-archery across Europe. Among the confirmed participants:

• Andorra
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Belarus
• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• Great Britain
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Israel
• Italy (host nation)
• Latvia
• Norway
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Turkey
• Ukraine

This year’s field includes powerhouses like Great Britain, France, and Turkey, all of which have dominated recent international competitions. For Italy, the championships serve as a critical tune-up for the 2027 season, when qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games will begin in earnest.

Italy’s Medal Hopes: A Team Built on Experience

The Italian squad, led by head coach Simone Corbetta, is stacked with veterans who have delivered on the sport’s biggest stages. While the official roster has not been released, primary sources confirm that the team will include “a majority of the champions who distinguished themselves at the last World Championships and Paralympic Games.” This suggests the presence of athletes like:

• Stefano Travisani, a two-time Paralympic medalist in the W1 open division.
• Eleonora Sarti, who claimed silver in the women’s recurve open at Paris 2024.
• Giuseppe Gabelli, a dominant force in the compound open category.

“This is a team with a winning mentality,” Corbetta told reporters last week. “Our goal isn’t just to compete—it’s to set the standard for the rest of Europe.”

What to Watch: Key Storylines

1. The Battle for Supremacy in the Compound Open

The compound open division promises fireworks, with Italy’s Giuseppe Gabelli and Great Britain’s Nathan MacQueen—the reigning world champion—locked in a fierce rivalry. Gabelli, who finished just 0.2 points behind MacQueen in Paris, has spent the offseason refining his release technique. “Every millimeter counts at this level,” he said. “I’ve worked on eliminating even the smallest inconsistencies.”

2. Italy’s Home-Court Advantage

Competing in front of a home crowd could be a game-changer for Italy’s archers. The Stadio Nando Martellini at Terme di Caracalla, with its capacity for 3,000 spectators, is expected to be packed for the gold-medal finals on May 2. “There’s nothing like hearing your name announced in your own country,” said Eleonora Sarti. “We wish to give the fans something to cheer about.”

3. The Rise of New Contenders

Preserve an eye on Turkey and Israel, two nations that have made significant strides in para-archery over the past two years. Turkey’s Buse Naz Çakıroğlu, a silver medalist in the women’s recurve open at the 2025 World Championships, is a dark horse for gold. Meanwhile, Israel’s Yonatan Ovadia, who transitioned to para-archery after a career in able-bodied competition, has quickly become a podium threat in the men’s compound open.

4. The Road to Los Angeles 2028

While the European Championships are a standalone event, the results here will carry weight for the 2028 Paralympic qualification cycle. The top eight finishers in each division will earn ranking points that could prove crucial when the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allocates quota spots. “This isn’t just about medals,” said Corbetta. “It’s about sending a message to the rest of the world that Italy is ready for Los Angeles.”

The Schedule: Key Dates and How to Follow

The championships kick off tomorrow, April 28, with the ranking rounds at the Centro Polifunzionale della Polizia di Stato. Here’s what fans need to recognize:

• April 28–30: Ranking rounds, eliminations, and bronze-medal matches (Spinaceto).
• May 1: Rest day and media sessions.
• May 2: Gold-medal finals at Stadio Nando Martellini (Terme di Caracalla).

All matches will be streamed live on the World Archery Para-Archery YouTube channel, with English commentary provided by the IPC. Fans in Italy can too catch coverage on RAI Sport.

Key Takeaways

• 28 nations will compete in Rome, making this the largest Para-Archery European Championships to date.
• The gold-medal finals on May 2 will take place at the historic Terme di Caracalla, a first for the sport.
• Italy’s team includes Paralympic medalists like Stefano Travisani and Eleonora Sarti, with eyes on Los Angeles 2028.
• The championships serve as a critical ranking event for Paralympic qualification.
• Live streams will be available on the World Archery Para-Archery YouTube channel.

What’s Next?

With the European Championships set to begin tomorrow, all eyes will be on Rome as the continent’s best para-archers vie for gold. For Italy, the stakes are higher than ever: a strong performance here could set the tone for the entire 2027 qualification cycle. The gold-medal finals on May 2 promise to be a thrilling conclusion to a week of elite competition—don’t miss it.

Have a question about the championships or para-archery in general? Drop it in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to answer. And if you’re in Rome, be sure to catch the action live—tickets are still available through the Comitato Paralimpico Italiano.