Next summer, the European Show Jumping Championships are coming to Flanders. The Longines FEI Jumping European Championships Flanders 2027 will take place at the Sport Vlaanderen Waregem grounds from 11 through 15 August. With the Lotto Year of the Horse’, the long run-up – in which everything revolves around horse and equestrian sport – is already underway.
The European Championships will be a five-day event, with up to 8,000 spectators expected each day. Riders from around twenty countries will take part, with each country allowed to field five riders. In addition to the individual competition, there will be a national teams competition; Belgium is, incidentally, the defending champion. Alongside the European Championship competitions, there will be numerous side events. These include a CSI1* and CSI2** competitions to give other international riders an opportunity to compete in the European Championship arena, as well as para-equestrian dressage demonstrations, and more…
European Jumping Championships hold significant sporting, social, reputational and economic value for Flanders. It reaffirms Flanders’ status in equestrian sport and the equestrian sector worldwide. It delivers a direct and quantifiable economic return for the city and the region, simply through overnight stays and the various outgoings of visitors. Our own top riders will be able to shine in front of their home crowd, and the extensive run-up to the event will showcase all aspects of the horse. By the way, admission to the fan zone will be free so that everyone can come and experience the sport for themselves.
Ingmar De Vos: “The Longines FEI Jumping European Championship are without any doubt one of the most important and prestigious Championships in the world in 2027 especially as they will serve as a qualifier for the LA28 Olympic Games.”
Flemish Minister for Sport Annick De Ridder: "With the European Jumping Championships in Waregem, Flanders is bringing a world-class event to our region. It confirms our strong tradition and international reputation in equestrian sport, while further strengthening Flanders' position as a leading horse region. At the same time, we want to look beyond the five days of competition. Through the Year of the Horse, we are making the sport more accessible to new audiences and reinforcing the connection between elite sport, grassroots participation, and the wider equestrian sector."
Lotto Year of the Horse Today also marks the launch of the Lotto Year of the Horse, the social and educational run-up in which the horse takes centre stage. It brings together numerous initiatives across Flanders to put equestrian sport – and everything to do with horses – in the spotlight. The aim is to bring the equestrian sector closer to a wider public, inspire new target groups and highlight the versatile role of the horse in Flanders. Three key themes are central to this: sport/G-sport, education and welfare.
A roadshow, an interactive experience centred on horses and equestrian sports, is touring Flanders and Belgium, visiting events such as the K3 RUN&FUN, Jumping Mechelen and numerous other events. An extensive school package introduces pupils to the world of horses in an accessible way. Club initiatives are mobilising local equestrian clubs, whilst riding and driving routes invite people to discover Flanders on horseback or in a carriage. In addition, ‘Ga voor Galop’ encourages children, young people and adults to try horse riding in an accessible way.
The Lotto Year of the Horse aims to make the European Championships more than just a top-level sporting event and to create a lasting impact for riders, clubs, schools, families and horse lovers throughout Flanders. Full details available at www.flandersjumping2027.com.
“In recent years, we have become increasingly successful in bringing major international sporting events to Flanders. These events not only generate prestige, but also create significant economic value and provide numerous opportunities to drive positive developments here at home,” says Flemish Deputy Minister-President Ben Weyts, who is also responsible for Animal Welfare. “Flanders is already a true horse nation, with an internationally renowned equine sector worth hundreds of millions of euros. And there is still considerable potential for further growth.”
Glenn Maes, Chairman of Paardensport Vlaanderen:“Given the achievements of our equestrian athletes and our worldwide standing as a pre-eminent equestrian region, it makes perfect sense for the European Championships to come to Flanders. Furthermore, the Lotto Year of the Horse creates a unique link with our entire population. We are looking forward to putting the horse centre stage in Flanders over the coming months and getting everyone excited about our sport and the event.”
“The 2027 European Jumping Championships are particularly special: our Belgian riders will have the opportunity to defend their European title on home soil in front of their own fans,” adds Bart Stokmans, President of the KBRSF. “But this is about much more than five days of elite sport. Through the Lotto Year of the Horse, we want to showcase the many roles horses play and the value they bring to our society.”
Longines, the event's title partner, is also eagerly looking ahead to 2027. Patrick Aoun, President & CEO de Longines: “Longines is proud to be the Official Partner, Official Watch and Official Timekeeper of the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2027. Our connection with equestrian sport goes back nearly 150 years, and is built on shared values of tradition, elegance and performance. As Official Timekeeper, we are delighted to play an active role at the Championships, where precision and performance come together at the highest level of the sport.”
EventFlanders
The Flemish Government is joining forces with the City of Waregem through EventFlanders to make an event of this calibre possible. EventFlanders operates within Visit Flanders, but is a collaborative initiative involving Visit Flanders, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Culture, Youth and Media, and Sport Flanders.
About Longines
Longines has been established in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. The watchmaking house boasts expertise forged in tradition, elegance, and high performance. With its long-standing experience as official timekeeper of world sports championships and partner of international sports federations, the Swiss watch brand has forged strong and lasting links with the sporting world over the years. Renowned for the elegance of its watches, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of timepieces. The brand with the winged hourglass as its emblem has outlets in over 130 countries.
