The city of Ankara in Turkiye will host the European Universities Rugby 7s Championship in 2025. The event will take place from 21 – 24 July.

An inspection visit was organized from 22-24 January 2025. The EUSA Technical Delegate for Rugby 7s, Maria Gyolcsos, and EUSA Events Manager, Liam Smith, visited Ankara to check on the ongoing preparations for the event.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, present during the inspection visit were members from both Middle East Technical University (METU) and Bilkent University, two neighboring universities in Ankara. The team was led by Baris Sozeri, METU Sport Manager and Ahsen Kucukdurmaz, Bilkent University Director of Physical Education and Sports Center and Board Member of Türkiye University Sports Federation. 

Also present throughout the visits were METU Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, Bilkent University Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Ezhan Karaşan, Dilek öztürk from the Turkish University sports federation, Engin Kömürcü,  Turkish Rugby Federation Vice President,  and METU Director of Sports, Şahin Oğuz.

The delegation first visited the proposed sports, accommodation, and catering venues on the METU campus to assess the quality of the facilities offered for the championship.

They then had lunch with the University Rector, who emphasized the significance of the event for both the university and Rugby 7s in Turkey.

Later, the delegation visited the Bilkent University campus, only a short drive away. After inspecting the proposed venues there, they met with the University Vice-Rector who shared Bilkent University’s history and plans for the future. The inspection visit ended with a discussion and de-brief, confirming the next steps to be taken to ensure a successful event.

The EUSA team thanked the OC for the hospitality and congratulated them on the great preparations so far, highlighting the high standard of facilities made available for the event

For more information about the European Universities Rugby 7s Championship 2025, please see https://rugby7s2025.eusa.eu