A surprising turn of events in fencing! The upcoming European Championships in the discipline were originally scheduled to take place in Tallinn, Estonia, from June 16 to June 21, 2026. However, the organization has now been handed to France, specifically to the town of Antony in the Hauts-de-Seine department, just six months before the event. What prompted this sudden change? Estonia withdrew its visa approvals for Russian athletes, leading to the loss of the event's hosting rights.
According to Rémy Delhomme, president of the FFE, speaking to L'Equipe, the process was completed "over a weekend with a prepared file." This clearly shows that France is a true fencer's land, regularly hosting international competitions and even the European Championships 2028, already scheduled. Given the novelty of this decision, ticket sales haven't opened yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated, as the competition is now just around the corner!
Fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite French athletes, such as Manon Apithy, Sara Balzer, Enzo Lefort, and Ysaora Thibus, who all shined at the recent Olympic Games. Additionally, Russian athletes will also be able to compete in this event, doing so under a neutral banner and without the national anthem.
Dates and Opening Time
From June 16, 2026 to June 21, 2026
Location
Antony
Place de l'Hôtel de ville
92160 Antony
Official website
www.ffescrime.fr
