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When masters athletes line up in Galway in May 2028, they'll be taking part in something with real history behind it. The European Non-Stadia Championships were first held in 1989, and have run as a biennial fixture ever since — one of the longest-standing traditions in European masters athletics.

"Non-stadia" simply means events held away from the track: road racing over 10K and half marathon distances, cross country relay, and race walking. It's a different test to stadium athletics — pace judgement, terrain, weather, and tactics all come into play — and it draws a slightly different, often larger, crowd of masters athletes who love the open road as much as the oval track. One of the most popular recent additions to the programme is Nordic walking, which has quickly become a firm fixture on the non-stadia calendar — and Galway 2028 will be no exception.

Over nearly four decades, the championships have travelled across Europe, building a loyal community that returns edition after edition. Galway will host the 21st edition in 2028 — and the first time this championship has come to Ireland.

Have you competed in a past edition, or do you have a story from the non-stadia circuit? We'd love to hear it — tag us, and help us tell the story of the tradition Galway is about to become part of.

Hosting 1,000+ masters athletes and around 3,000 visitors in May 2028 takes a village — and we're starting to build our volunteer community early, well ahead of race weekend itself.

There's a role for everyone, whatever your experience: race day marshalling, athlete welcome and registration, event logistics, hospitality, and much more. No athletics background required — just enthusiasm and a willingness to help make Europe's masters athletes feel at home in Galway.

Volunteering is also a brilliant way to be part of something genuinely historic for the city — a front-row seat to an international championship, and the chance to meet athletes and visitors from across Europe.

Detailed volunteer roles and rotas will take shape as planning progresses, but we want to hear from you now. Register your interest via galway2028.ie, and we'll keep you posted every step of the way as roles are confirmed.

We're now 22 months out from May 2028, and while the public-facing announcements have been coming thick and fast, the near-term focus behind the scenes is firmly on foundations. The organising committee is working through the structures and commitments that need to be locked down before venues, courses and registration can be confirmed publicly. None of it is especially glamorous, but it's exactly the groundwork that has to happen early so that everything announced later stands on solid ground.

Elsewhere on the masters athletics calendar this summer, registrations are open right now for the European Masters Off-Road Running Championships in Râșnov, Romania (10–13 September) — well worth a look if you fancy some off-road racing before Galway's turn comes around. The registration deadline is 10 August.

For Galway 2028 itself, athlete registration opens in 2027. For now, keep May 2028 marked in the diary and follow along here for the next milestone — venue and course announcements will follow as planning progresses.

It's been a summer to remember for Irish masters athletics — and every result is another reason to be excited about what's coming to Galway in May 2028.

At the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Janské Lázně, Czech Republic (26–28 June), Irish teams struck gold twice: John Kinsella, Eoin Flynn and Ian Conroy took the M45 uphill title, while Carmel MacDomhnaill was part of the winning W80 uphill team. Northern Ireland's Springwell Running Club also had a brilliant championship, with Carolyn Crawford, Kate O'Loan, Sarah Milligan and Adele Tomb bringing home four medals between them, competing in searing 36°C heat on the slopes of Černá hora.

Earlier in the summer, Mayo AC's Paraic Sweeney won gold in the M75 10km road race at EMACNS Catania 2026 — the very championship Galway will host next, in its 21st edition.

Different disciplines, different countries, same message: Irish masters athletics has real depth across the age categories. We can't wait to see Irish athletes competing on home soil when the championship arrives in Galway in under two years. Well done to everyone who represented Ireland this summer — if you have a story of your own, tag us, we'd love to help tell it.

The confirmation that Galway will host the European Masters Athletics Championships Non-Stadia in May 2028 has generated great coverage across Irish media and the wider athletics community. We're delighted to see the word spreading!

The Galway Advertiser led the local coverage, quoting Former Mayor of Galway Cllr Mike Cubbard: "This is a fantastic achievement for Galway and a proud moment for our city. The Championships will bring thousands of athletes and visitors to Galway, showcasing our community spirit, our coastal setting and our ability to deliver major international events."

Sally-Ann O'Brien, Head of Tourism at Galway City Council, called it a "strategically important win for Galway", adding: "Participation events like this deliver real economic impact, extend the tourism season and highlight Galway as a world-class destination for sporting events."

Coverage so far:

Galway Advertiser — Galway to host European Masters Athletics Non-Stadia Championships
Galway City Council — Galway Secures European Masters Athletics Non Stadia Championships 2028
Connacht Tribune — Galway City selected to host international Masters athletics event
Galway Bay FM — Galway To Host European Masters Non Stadia Athletics Championships In 2028
BMAF — EMACNS European Masters Athletics Championships Non Stadia
Mayo AC — EMACS in Galway May 2028

If you're a club, coach or masters athlete and would like to help spread the word, please share this page and point people to galway2028.ie for full details on events, registration and volunteering.

We are delighted to share that Galway City Council has officially confirmed its full support for the European Masters Athletics Championships Non-Stadia — and to mark the occasion, a formal launch took place in Galway with Cllr. Mike Cubbard, Mayor of Galway, and Sally Ann O'Brien, Head of Tourism, Galway City Council. Pictured above are committee members alongside the Mayor and the official EMA flag that will fly over Galway in May 2028.

The successful bid was led by the Local Organising Committee in partnership with Galway City Council, Athletics Ireland, and the Irish Masters Athletics Association, and was confirmed by European Masters Athletics following its 2026 event in Catania, Italy. The championships — the 21st edition of this biannual event — are expected to attract approximately 1,000 athletes from across Europe, with total visitor numbers, including families and supporters, estimated at around 3,000.

Cllr. Mike Cubbard said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Galway and a proud moment for our city. The Championships will bring thousands of athletes and visitors to Galway, showcasing our community spirit, our coastal setting and our ability to deliver major international events. We look forward to welcoming Europe's masters' athletes in 2028." Sally Ann O'Brien, Head of Tourism, added: "This is a strategically important win for Galway. Participation events like this deliver real economic impact, extend the tourism season and highlight Galway as a world-class destination for sporting events."

Athletes can look forward to road racing, cross country relay, race walking, and Nordic walking over three days in May 2028. Detailed race routes, venues, and operational plans will be confirmed and published in the months ahead. Follow galway2028.ie and our social channels to stay up to date as announcements land.

With exactly 23 months to go until May 2028, planning for the European Masters Athletics Championships Non-Stadia is gathering pace — and we want to tell you a little more about the city that will be your home for those unforgettable days of competition.

Galway is one of Europe's most celebrated cultural cities: a vibrant, walkable city on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, with a festival spirit that runs through its very streets. From the medieval Latin Quarter and the Claddagh waterfront to the world-class Galway Racecourse and the wide open spaces of Connacht Athletics Arena, the city has everything a masters athlete could ask for — outstanding venues, a warm welcome, and an atmosphere that simply has to be experienced.

The organising committee is deep in the planning process, working closely with Athletics Ireland, local authorities, and venue partners to ensure that EMACNS 2028 delivers a championship worthy of its athletes. In the months ahead we will be sharing confirmed venue details, the event programme, and all the practical information you need to begin planning your trip to Ireland.

Whether you are a seasoned masters competitor or attending your first European championship, we promise you an event to remember. Mark May 2028 in your diary, follow our updates, and join us as Galway prepares to welcome the best masters athletes in Europe.

We are thrilled to officially launch the website for EMACNS Galway 2028 — the European Masters Athletics Championships Non-Stadia, coming to Galway, Ireland in May 2028.

Planning is well underway and we look forward to welcoming masters athletes from over 20 nations to one of Ireland's most vibrant and beautiful cities.

Over the coming months we will be sharing updates on the event programme, venues, accommodation and everything you need to know to make the most of your time in Galway.

Stay tuned — and if you'd like to volunteer or discuss sponsorship opportunities, please visit the relevant sections of this website.

The EMACNS Galway 2028 Organising Committee