Emil Open

The European Disabled Youth Summer Games Emil Open is traditionally held in Brno, Czech Republic. In 2026, the 15th edition of this unique project will take place. So far, more than 6700 young athletes and their escorts from more than 23 European countries have participated in the Games.

Athletes within the 15th edition in different categories will measure their strength in a total of 7 individual sports. We will also continue with 4 team sports as part of Emil Team Games. During the Games, athletes can try out various demonstration sports and meet many prominent personalities from the field of sport, culture and public life.

The V4 Winter Games Emil Open is a project by which Emil's Sports, z.s. builds the tradition of winter games for disabled youth Emil Open. To implement the project, the Czech organizer approached its partners from Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. During the second edition, Albania also became a partner, during the third edition Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in 2026 partners from Serbia will join.

Athletes with all types of disabilities aged 10 to 26 compete in winter sports - downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. There are also development camps in para-hockey, figure skating and this year also newly in short track. The Games are held in the South Bohemian Region, at the Lipno Resort and in České Budějovice at HC Pouzar.

The project is co-financed by a grant from the Visegrad Fund.

What is Emil Open?

The European Youth Games for the Disabled are an international and a social gathering of athletes with disabilities from 10 to 26 years of age.

The expected number of international participants and the sport and accompanying programme make the event unique and of a European format.

Emil Open's main missions

Sport brings joy, freedom and friendship – and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it. The European Games Emil Open give young people with disabilities the same chance as others – to play sports, overcome challenges, make new friends and show what they are capable of. Together we break down barriers and prejudices and strengthen the self-confidence that they carry into life outside of sport.

TO ENABLE AMATEUR DISABLED ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT

and get inspiration from other experienced athletes from eleven other European countries. By competing with one another the registered athletes become models for other athletes with disabilities. They also have a chance to be appreciated publicly for their performances.

MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR THE SOCIAL INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG WITH DISABILITIES

through sport events designed for mixed groups of both disabled and able-bodied participants. Another important part is the involvement of volunteers from mainstream schools.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHALLENGE ONESELF IN VARIOUS SPORT EVENTS

and to experience a sport event of a higher format. For many participants, it will be their very first contact with their foreign mates and their first time competing in an international event. Thanks to the intensive sport experience, the Games will contribute on a European scale not only to sport but also personal development of the individual athlete. Besides sport competitions, the Games mainly represent an opportunity to have friendly gatherings of young people with disabilities from different European countries.

TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AN INSIGHT ABOUT ADAPTIVE SPORTS

with the aim of eliminating prejudice and barriers. There are over a million people with disabilities in the Czech Republic. This issue is not often positively perceived by public, although sport and complex rehabilitation significantly improve the mental and physical condition of a disabled individual in most cases of post-injury traumas.