Mediterranean Games return to Italy for 20th edition in Taranto

The Mediterranean Games, a quadrennial multi-sport spectacle uniting nations from three continents, returns to Italian soil for its 20th edition, 75 years after the inaugural event in Alexandria, Egypt. The southern city of Taranto will host approximately 5,000 competitors from 26 countries between August 21 and September 3, with 32 sports on the program. Italy becomes the host nation for the fourth time, following previous editions in Naples (1963), Bari (1997), and Pescara (2009).

Historical roots and evolution of the Games

The concept for the Mediterranean Games emerged during the 1948 London Olympics, proposed by Egyptian National Olympic Committee President Muhammad Taher Pasha. The first edition in 1951 featured 734 athletes from ten nations. Women first competed in 1967 during Tunisia's hosting, with 38 female participants marking a significant milestone. Türkiye has hosted twice—first in Izmir in 1971 with 1,362 athletes from 14 countries, and again in Mersin in 2013 with over 3,000 competitors from 24 nations. The International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG), established in 1961, continues to oversee the event's organization and expansion.

Taranto 2026: Sports program and new additions

The upcoming Games will feature Olympic staples including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, judo, fencing, football, tennis, archery, and cycling. The program also introduces several exciting additions: padel—a racket sport combining tennis and squash—makes its Mediterranean Games debut with men's, women's, and mixed doubles competitions. 3x3 basketball carries added significance as the tournament awards FIBA ranking points critical for qualification toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Skateboarding, roller sports, and finswimming join the roster, while Baseball5, frisbee, and kickboxing appear as demonstration sports.