The 2028 European Championships and the Olympic Games Continental Quota Tournament will be held in the heart of Nottingham, hosted by Archery GB (AGB) and Nottingham City Council with support from UK Sport and funding from the National Lottery, the East Midlands Combined County Authority and It’s in Nottingham.
In 2016, Nottingham put on an amazing show for the European Championships, and finally, this great city is once again able to open its doors to the best archers in Europe. After six months of hard work, AGB and event partners put forward a bid to World Archery Europe to be able to run this most prestigious event, and following the success of the European Grand Prix AGB hosted in 2023, were awarded the honour. Nottingham is no stranger to world class archery events being the hosts of the National Tour final since 2022 and hosting the European Para Cup finals in 2022.
GB earned themselves two medals at the last Championships, feeding off the energy of the home crowd, and looking ahead towards 2028, the team will be aiming to win even more medals as we return to home soil.
The final will take place in Old Market Square in the heart of the city. Second only to London’s Trafalgar Square as the largest public space in the UK, it has a rich, 800-year-old history as a marketplace. Folklore tells that it is also the space in which outlaw and archery legend Robin Hood won the silver arrow contest devised by the Sheriff of Nottingham, making it a fitting location.
AGB President, Graham Potts, said: “I am delighted that Archery GB will once again be hosting the World Archery Europe Target Championships in 2028, along with our partners in Nottingham, where we revisit the centre of this historic city for the finals matches, and build further upon our ability to show the world our expertise in hosting major events in iconic locations.
“This event will give our members a great opportunity to see Europe’s best recurve and compound archers in action, including those looking forward to the Games in Los Angeles 2028, and for those keen to be nearer the action, the opportunity to volunteer and support the success of the event!”
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “Hosting the 2028 European Championships in Nottingham is a tremendous honour and an exciting opportunity for our city. As the legendary home of Robin Hood, archery is part of our cultural heritage. Beyond the thrill of welcoming world-class athletes and fans from across the globe, this event will showcase Nottingham as a premier destination for international sport.”
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the 2028 European Championships to the heart of Nottingham. This is a huge moment for our city, not only does it celebrate our rich sporting and cultural heritage, but it will also provide a significant boost to the region’s visitor economy. Events like this bring people from across Europe and beyond to Nottingham, supporting our local businesses, showcasing our iconic venues and placing our city firmly on the international stage.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting Archery GB in delivering what promises to be a world-class event in a truly historic setting.”
Esther Britten, UK Sport’s Head of Events, said: “We are delighted that world-class archery will return to Nottingham in 2028. The support of The National Lottery has been instrumental in bringing this event back to the UK as part of our commitment to ensure live sporting events take place in every corner of the country.”
Mario Scarzella, World Archery Europe President, said: “We have had several successful events during the last few years in the UK: the European Run Archery Cup in 2024 in Sherwood Forest, the 2023 European Grand Prix with 37 European countries in attendance, the 2022 European Youth Championships, the 2022 Para Archery Cup Finals, and the 2016 European Outdoor Championships with the elective Congress in Nottingham. I am confident that the organising committee at Archery GB will provide an outstanding venue for athletes, officials, and spectators.”
Posted on 18 June 2025
