2030 Mediterranean Games

XXI Mediterranean Games
Host cityPristina
Country Kosovo
MottoThis is how we do it
Edition21st
Nations26 (expected)
Athletes5,000 (expected)
Sport24 (expected)
Opening24 July
Closing4 August
Main venueTBA
Websiteprishtina2030.com

The 2030 Mediterranean Games (Albanian: Lojërat Mesdhetare 2030; Serbian: Медитеранске игре 2030, romanized: Mediteranske igre 2030), officially known as the XXI Mediterranean Games, is a forthcoming international multi-sport event that is scheduled to be held from 24 July to 4 August 2030 in Pristina, Kosovo.

Bidding process

The International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM) launched the bidding process for the 2030 games at a meeting of its executive committee held on 10 December 2022 in Pristina, Kosovo.[1][2] In April 2023, CIJM announced the end of the candidature process and the sole candidate city, Pristina, for the 2030 Games.[3] Pristina was confirmed as host city on 8 September 2023 during the ICMG General Assembly with 55 votes in favour, eight against and three abstentions.[4][5][6]

Candidates

  • Kosovo Pristina, Kosovo – CIJM president Davide Tizzano stated that "Kosovo, together with the neighbouring countries will be ready to organise the Mediterranean Games" following a meeting with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani in December 2022.[7] On 4 April 2023, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, announced that Kosovo has officially applied to host the 2030 Mediterranean Games in Pristina.[8][9] Kurti also stated that as Kosovo is a landlocked country, is expected that the beach sports will be held in neighbouring Albania.[10] Pristina was officially confirmed as a candidate city by the CIJM on 1 April 2023. The formal host selection took place on 8 September 2023.[11] Prishtina's bid was led by the Secretary General of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, Besim Aliti. This will be the first time that the event is held in a landlocked country. Additionally, it will mark the second instance of the Mediterranean Games being organized in a city without access to the Mediterranean Sea, following the 1983 Mediterranean Games held in Casablanca, Morocco. Additionally, it would be the second time that these games are organized in the Western Balkans, following the 1979 Mediterranean Games in Split in what was then Yugoslavia.
2030 Mediterranean Games
bidding results
City NOC Yes No Abs
Pristina  Kosovo 55 8 3

Development and preparation

The emblem for the bid to host the games was designed by Arian Hoti.[12] The official promotional video for the games, released in November 2023, showcases the motto "This is how we do it!" and highlights the participation of several distinguished athletes.[13] Notably, the video includes the presence of Olympic medalists Majlinda Kelmendi, Nora Gjakova, and Distria Krasniqi, alongside prominent figures Uta Ibrahimi, Meriton Korenica, Vedat Muriqi, and Donjeta Sadiku.[13]

On 20 December 2024, Prime Minister Kurti and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama formalised a cooperation agreement for the 2030 Games.[14][15] This agreement facilitates the inclusion of Durrës, Albania, as a host city for the sailing events.[14][16]

Venues

The Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina.
The city of Durrës in Albania on the Adriatic Sea will serve as the host city for the water sports events.

Prime Minister Kurti had stated that a newly-built national stadium, swimming pool complex, tennis stadium and shooting range will be built for the games. Five temporary venues are to be built and existing facilities such as the Palace of Youth and Sports will be renovated.[17]

In addition to Pristina, events will also take place in cities across Kosovo such as Ferizaj, Gjakova, Mitrovica, Peja, Podujevo and Prizren.[18] As Kosovo is a landlocked country, sailing and other events will take place in Durrës, in neighbouring Albania.[19]

List of venues, showing the city, venue, sport and venue capacity[20]
City Venue Sport Capacity Ref

Kosovo

Drenas Drenas New Archery Arena Archery TBC
Gjakova Shani Nushi Hall Fencing
Weightlifting 		2,000
Gjakova City Stadium Football 10,000
Gjilan Bashkim Selishta Hall Volleyball 1,700
Gjilan City Stadium Football 9,800
Ferizaj Bill Clinton Hall Handball 2,000
Mitrovica Minatori Sports Hall Handball 2,500
Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium Athletics 18,200
Peja Karagac Sports Hall Judo 2,000
Pristina Kosovo National Stadium Opening and
closing ceremony 		30,000
Fadil Vokrri Stadium Football 13,980
Palace of Youth and Sports Handball
Gymnastics 		8,000
Germia Park Boules TBC
Olympic Swimming Pool Complex Aquatics TBC
Prishtina Boulevards 3x3 basketball TBC
Tennis Complex Arena Tennis TBC
Podujevo Podujeva Sports Hall Volleyball 1,500
Zahir Pajaziti Stadium Football 9,000
Batlava Lake Canoeing TBC
Prizren Sezair Surroi Arena Wrestling 2,500
Skenderaj Shooting Center Shooting TBC

Albania

Durrës[21] Adriatic Sea Sailing 1,000 expected

The games

Sports

24 sporting disciplines are expected to take place.[18]

Participating nations

5000 athletes from 26 nations are expected to participate in the games.[18][22]

Participating National Committees

See also

References

  1. ^ "The President of the Kosovo Republic meets the ICMG Executive Bureau members". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Presidentja Osmani priti në takim drejtuesit e Komitetit Ndërkombëtar të Lojërave Mesdhetare" (in Albanian). Pristina: Presidential Office of Kosovo. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  3. ^ "The Olympic Committees of Portugal and Kosovo have expressed interest in hosting the 2027 and 2030 Mediterranean Games". 3 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Portimão–Lagoa and Prishtina will host the next editions of the Mediterranean Games". International Committee of Mediterranean Games (CIJM). Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Kosovo capital Pristina chosen to host 2030 Mediterranean Games". Pristina: Associated Press (AP). 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  6. ^ Idrizi, Ekrem (9 September 2023). "Çfarë duhet të dini për Lojërat Mesdhetare që Kosova do t'i organizojë më 2030" (in Albanian). Radio Evropa e Lirë. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Mediterranean Games organiser hope Kosovo could bid after meeting with President". 20 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Kosova zyrtarisht shtet kandidat për organizimin e Lojërave Mesdhetare 2030". 4 April 2023.
  9. ^ "The Olympic Committees of Portugal and Kosovo have expressed interest in hosting the 2027 and 2030 Mediterranean Games". 3 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Kryeministri Kurti: Kosova zyrtarisht është shteti kandidat për organizimin e Lojërave Mesdhetare "Prishtina 2030"". 4 April 2023.
  11. ^ "The Olympic Committees of Portugal and Kosovo have expressed interest in hosting the 2027 and 2030 Mediterranean Games". 3 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Logoja e Lojërave Mesdhetare Prishtina 2030 u krijua në Ferizaj" (in Albanian). Katror. 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Kok publikon promon e Lojërave Mesdhetare Prishtina 2030". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b Sulaj, Agim (20 December 2024). "Nënshkruhet Marrëveshja e Bashkëpunimit Kosovë-Shqipëri për Lojërat Mesdhetare 2030" (in Albanian). Pristina: Anadolu Agency (AA). Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  15. ^ Isufi, Antigonë (20 December 2024). "Pak minuta takim, dy kryeministrat nënshkruan marrëveshjen për Lojërat Mesdhetare" (in Albanian). Kallxo. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  16. ^ Gegvataj, Almarina (20 December 2024). "Kurti dhe Rama marrëveshje për organizimin e Lojërave Mesdhetare 2030" (in Albanian). Pristina: Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA). Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  17. ^ ""Lojërat Mesdhetare 2030", Kurti: Do ndërtohet një stadium nacional – 10 objekte sportive do rinovohen". 13 September 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Sulaj, Agim (8 September 2023). "Kosova zyrtarisht organizatore e Lojërave Mesdhetare 2030" (in Albanian). Pristina: Anadolu Agency (AA). Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  19. ^ "HISTORIKE: Kosova, organizatore e Lojërave Mesdhetare Prishtina 2030". 8 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Lojërat Mesdhetare të vitit 2030 do të mbahen edhe në Podujevë në këto vende (Dokument)". podujevapress. Retrieved 18 September 2023.[dead link‍]
  21. ^ https://x.com/albinkurti/status/1870392675184029764
  22. ^ ""Lojërat Mesdhetare 2030", Kurti: Do ndërtohet një stadium nacional – 10 objekte sportive do rinovohen". 13 September 2023.