Welcome to the 2026 European MTB Orienteering Championship – Almeida!
It’s with great pride that we welcome athletes, teams, and MTB Orienteering enthusiasts to the 2026 European Championship, which will take place in Almeida, Portugal, in May 2026.
We extend our gratitude to the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) for their trust in awarding this prestigious event to Portugal. This recognition greatly honours and motivates us to deliver a championship of excellence. Our sincere appreciation also goes to the Municipality of Almeida, whose support has been essential in making this competition a reality.
Over the years, Portugal has consistently demonstrated its remarkable organisational capacity in international orienteering events, and this championship will be no exception. Under the experienced leadership of
Director Augusto Almeida, supported by António Amador, we guarantee a high-quality event, marked by the professionalism and dedication that have become a benchmark in our country.
Get ready for challenging courses, breathtaking landscapes, and a competition that promises to make history in MTB Orienteering!
Welcome to Almeida!
Rui Mora – POF President
It is with great pride that the Municipality of Almeida prepares to host another major international event —the MTBO World Cup and European MTB Orienteering Championships.
The trust placed in Almeida to welcome this competition is a clear reflection of our ongoing investment in promoting sport, enhancing our territory, and demonstrating the capacity to organise large-scale international events.
Today, Almeida is a municipality where sport plays a central role in public policy — supported by quality infrastructure, programmes that encourage sports practice, and a strong connection between territory and movement. Mountain bike orienteering is, therefore, a discipline that aligns perfectly with our natural, cultural, and indeed sporting identity.
With its exceptional landscape and countless natural and ancestral trails, in the Côa River Valley, surrounded by the historic strongholds of Castelo Bom, Castelo Mendo, and by the Fortress of Almeida, which from the sky appears as a star carved in stone, Almeida offers the ideal setting to host this championship and leave a lasting impression of determination, camaraderie, and shared passion for sport. I invite all athletes, technical teams and visitors to discover all that Almeida has to offer — and to leave with the desire to return.
I look forward to welcoming you to Almeida in late May 2026.
You are all most welcome.
António Machado – Mayor of Almeida
It’s a great pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Junior, Youth and Elite European MTB Orienteering Championships and round of the CX80 MTB Orienteering World Cup!
Portugal has built a solid reputation as a host of major international orienteering events, especially in mountain bike orienteering, and our firm purpose, even after a devastating storm, is to provide you with a high-quality event that will be etched in your best memories. Despite the short preparation time, we are pleased to welcome you to Almeida, a museum city where the terrain is challenging, and the landscapes are breathtaking.
The organisation will do everything to create an environment where athletes can give their best, enjoy the competitions, socialise and fraternise, and celebrate our sport.
Welcome to Almeida and good luck in the competitions.
Together, we will make this an unforgettable event.
Augusto Almeida – Event Director