Every two years, the best eight wheelchair rugby teams in Europe compete for the European title. This year the Netherlands can call itself proud host of this spectacular event.
At Sportcampus Zuiderpark the best eight teams of Europe will compete against each other. Excitement, action and pure sports experience come together in what is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Grab your chance to experience this top sports event live!
Event info
The European Wheelchair Rugby Championship
The European Wheelchair Rugby Championship is an international sporting event in which the best wheelchair rugby teams from Europe compete for the European title.
What is Wheelchair Rugby?
This sport is a spectacular and fast-paced team sport designed for athletes with disabilities of arms and legs. This unique sport combines elements of rugby, basketball and ice hockey and is known for its physical intensity and strategic depth.
In wheelchair rugby, two teams of four players each compete against each other. The players use special sports wheelchairs designed for speed and agility. The goal is simple: bring the ball, a modified volleyball, across the opponent's goal line.
Speed, strength and clever tactics are key. Players must not only score, but also block the opponent and create chances for their teammates. This makes wheelchair rugby a dynamic and strategic sport. Wheelchair rugby is played worldwide and is an official part of the Paralympic Games.
“It's fast, sexy and aggressive”
For years, wheelchair rugby has been one of the most attractive team sports at the Paralympic Games. And therefore such a shame that it is so unknown in the Netherlands, states Reda Haouam, captain of the Dutch wheelchair rugby team, on the TeamNL website. “Wheelchair rugby is 'the greatest sport you've never heard off'. It is fast, sexy and aggressive.” H e level of the participating countries, according to Reda, is dangerously close.“We can finish on the podium at international tournaments, but also finish last.”
History of the European Championship
The European Wheelchair Rugby Championship is a biennial tournament in which Europe's best teams compete for the title.The event plays a crucial role in preparation for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and offers direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The most recent edition took place in May 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. France once again proved dominant and, as in 2022, managed to capture the European title.
With each edition, the level of competition grows, making the European Championship an important highlight in the international wheelchair rugby calendar.