Azerbaijan's Baku has officially been crowned the World Capital of Sport, as the baton has been passed from Monaco, putting the spotlight on Azerbaijan’s capital as the host city for the year 2026.
A formal signing ceremony for the World Capitals of Sport commemorative plaque took place in Baku, with government officials and representatives from the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES) in attendance, including Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov.
"We know that your capital has amazing sports infrastructure. Baku has previously hosted a number of international competitions, and we clearly remember that each of them was held at a very high level," Secretary General of the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES Europe) Hugo Alonso Castanon said.
Madrid was the first Capital of Sport in 2001. Monaco was named World Capital of Sport 2025.
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