From the 16th to the 19th of January 2026, Župa dubrovačka will host a major international sporting event – the European SAMBO Cup for seniors. Organised by the Croatian SAMBO Federation and the European SAMBO Federation, under the patronage of the Croatian Olympic Committee and with strong support from the local and national sports community, the event will bring more than 250 top fighters from 37 European countries to Dubrovnik and its surrounding area.
For a destination strategically positioning itself as a year-round hub for international meetings, sports and business events, the European SAMBO Cup represents yet another confirmation that Dubrovnik and its surroundings have the knowledge, infrastructure and experience required to host complex international events.
Top-level sport and a strong boost for Dubrovnik’s meeting and incentive industry
The arrival of athletes, coaches, referees, sports officials and accompanying teams from across Europe will generate a significant number of overnight stays outside the main tourist season, as well as strong international visibility for the destination. Sports events of this kind, which in terms of structure and logistics closely resemble congress events, are of great importance to the congress and incentive industry.
As the host, Župa Dubrovačka stands out for its well-developed tourism infrastructure, high-quality accommodation capacities, sports halls, and proximity to Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Airport. Head of the Municipality, Marko Miloslavić, emphasised that the local community is proud to take on the role of host and hopes the competition will become a tradition, which would add long-term value to the destination’s positioning.
Europe’s SAMBO elite arrives in southern Croatia
As part of the preparations for the European Cup, the Croatian SAMBO Federation hosted the President of the European SAMBO Federation and First Vice President of the World SAMBO Federation, Sergey Eliseev, who praised the development of Croatian SAMBO and the country’s organisational capacities. His message confirms that Croatia is recognised as a reliable partner for major international sporting competitions.
According to the President of the Croatian SAMBO Federation, Željko Banić, the true elite of European SAMBO will come to Župa Dubrovačka – from traditionally strong nations such as Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania to increasingly competitive teams from Western Europe. A large number of Croatian fighters will also compete, further increasing interest among the domestic audience.
The European SAMBO Cup 2026 is a perfect example of how sporting events can be successfully integrated into the development strategy of business and congress tourism. Free entry for visitors further opens the event to the local community and guests, while its international character strengthens the image of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area as a destination capable of hosting diverse, demanding and internationally relevant events.