The modified calendar of the fifth European Universities Games, which will be held from July 14 to 27, 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia, sees two new sports disciplines – Rugby 7s and Sitting Volleyball – added to the programme.

At next year’s highly anticipated event, the tradition of organising a Rugby 7s competition will be continued. As one of the oldest university sports, Rugby 7s has been part of the programme at all four editions of the European Universities Games organised so far. The sport also became a member of the Olympic family from the Rio Olympics in 2016, a sign of its popularity around the world.

“We expect that the Rugby 7s competition will be well attended, considering that it is a very developed sport that has been a part of the Games’ programme for a long time. The tournament will last for three days in both competitions on the field that will host football competitions as well,” says Ms Ana Todoric, Head of the Sports Department at the fifth European Universities Games.



Sitting Volleyball will also be promoted at the Belgrade Games. This sport discipline, which has been on the Paralympic Games programme since 1980, is played in over 75 countries with more than 10 000 registered players. In the Serbian capital next year, the sport will have its premiere in the academic sports community, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between EUSA and Para Volley Europe earlier this year.

“EUSA wants Sitting volleyball to be included in the regular programme in the future,” Ms Todoric says. “It is already playing a lot among students. The tournament in Belgrade will be of a demonstrative and inviting nature. Six teams that will participate will receive an invitation. The competition will last one day, with medals awarded to all winners.”

In total, 21 different sporting disciplines will be included in the programme for the Games in Belgrade, including Badminton, Basketball, 3x3 Basketball, Beach Handball, Beach Volleyball, Chess, Football, Futsal, Handball, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, Orienteering, Rowing, Rugby 7s, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball and Water Polo. Para Table Tennis will also enable competition for student athletes with disabilities, while Sitting Volleyball will be featured as a demonstrative sport, as mentioned above.

Registrations for next year’s event are currently open. If you are interested in taking part, please contact the national university sports association in your country, or visit eug2021.eu.