Galway to host ‘strategically important’ international racing event in 2028
Galway has been selected as the venue for the European Masters Athletics Non‑Stadia Championships, a racing event for veteran athletes, in 2028.
Galway’s Local Organising Committee in tandem with Galway City Council, Athletics Ireland, and The Irish Masters Athletics Association won the bid to host the running event which will see over 1,000 athletes and an estimated 3,000 international visitors from across Europe.
The event will have a strong economic impact for local businesses, accommodation providers and the wider local economy as Sally‑Ann O’Brien, Head of Tourism called it a “strategically important win for Galway.”
European Masters Athletics is an association for veteran athletes above the age of 35 and facilitates competitions under the World Masters Athletics.
Every two years, it hosts championships with events like race walking, 10K, half marathons, and cross-country relays.
In Galway, the events will occur ‘non-stadia’ which means they will not take place within a formal stadium setting but on local terrain.
The Local Organisation Committee has received the green light to begin preparing for the event with detailed race routes, venues, and plans not yet decided.