| Official name | : | III European Games | |
| Host city | : | ||
| Editions | : | 3rd | |
| Motto | : | We are Unity | |
| Mascot | : | “Krakusek” the dragon and “Sandra” the salamander | |
| Dates | : | ||
| Nations | : | 50 (expected) | |
| Events | : | 26 sports (expected) | |
| ← Minsk 2019 | TBD 2027 → | ||
The 3rd European Games (Polish: III Igrzyska Europejskie, Igrzyska Europejskie 2023), informally known as Kraków-Małopolska 2023, is a scheduled international sporting event to be held in Kraków and Małopolska, Poland in 2023. All Olympic sports held at the 2023 European Games will provide qualification opportunities for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The official motto of the games is We are Unity, Polish: Jesteśmy jednością, lit. 'We are One'.
“Krakusek” the dragon and “Sandra” the salamander have been chosen as the official mascots for the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023. The initiative, which received over 2,400 entries, was open to young people aged 5–15 across the continent. The exceptional dragon design by 15-year-old Katarzyna Biśta from Libiąż, Poland, perfectly encapsulates the local culture and history of Kraków. Complimenting Krakusek, the creation of the black and gold salamander by 10-year-old Gloria Goryl from Wojnicz, Poland, brilliantly portrays a real creature that calls south Poland its home.
Host selection
The official election of the European Games 2023 host took place at an EOC General Assembly in Minsk on 22 June 2019 where it was unanimously decided that Kraków and the surrounding Lesser Poland region would hold the Games. The vote was by a show of hands. The contract with the host city was signed on 17 May 2022.Venues
Events will take place in the city of Kraków, the surrounding Małopolska region and in Chorzów in the neighbouring Silesia region.Marketing
The official emblem of the games was unveiled on 21 June 2022, exactly one year before the opening ceremony. Designed by Marcin Salawa the emblem depicts a flame containing the towers of St. Mary's Basilica, to represent the ciry of Kraków and the Tatra Mountains, to represent the landscape of the Małopolska region. The colours, taken from the coats of arms of Kraków, and Małopolska, represent fire and water. Fire is said to symbolise action, will, energy, while water symbolises spirituality, emotions and purification.The official motto of the games is We are Unity, Polish: Jesteśmy jednością, lit. 'We are One'.
“Krakusek” the dragon and “Sandra” the salamander have been chosen as the official mascots for the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023. The initiative, which received over 2,400 entries, was open to young people aged 5–15 across the continent. The exceptional dragon design by 15-year-old Katarzyna Biśta from Libiąż, Poland, perfectly encapsulates the local culture and history of Kraków. Complimenting Krakusek, the creation of the black and gold salamander by 10-year-old Gloria Goryl from Wojnicz, Poland, brilliantly portrays a real creature that calls south Poland its home.