The European Athletics Indoor Championships has launched the València 2027 School Challenge, an educational contest designed to make schoolchildren in the Valencian Community feel part of the continental event, which will take place from March 4th to 7th, 2027, at the Velòdrom Lluís Puig.
Each school will organize a day within its own facilities with four events inspired by indoor athletics: a 60-meter race, a long jump, a throw (with a medicine ball or weighted ball), and a mixed relay for boys and girls. Schools will choose a different European country to represent, incorporate a small sustainable action within the Green Track València 2027 program, and share their experience in a vertical video of up to two minutes, with a brief intervention in English by the students themselves.
The challenge does not focus on performance but on participation, inclusion, teamwork, and creativity, ensuring any school can join on equal terms. It is aimed at students in the second and third cycles of Primary education and is designed to be worked on jointly between Physical Education and English classes. The València 2027 School Challenge is part of Athletics for All, European Athletics' program promoting healthy lifestyles through inclusive and accessible athletics for all ages and abilities, specifically aligning with Active Kids and Active Schools.
Nine schools will be selected, three per province, receiving a sports equipment package valued at 500 euros and official recognition. There will also be special mentions for Best Video, European Spirit, and Highest Participation, along with a Green Track València 2027 Award.
The grand prize will be experiencing the championship from within. The winning school from each province will attend the Velòdrom Lluís Puig on Friday, March 5th, 2027, with approximately 50 students, including bus transportation provided by the organization, to witness the morning session of the European Championships live, participate in a recognition ceremony, and enjoy the Fan Zone.
Registration is free and open to public, subsidized, and private schools in the provinces of Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia via the Official Registration Form. The deadline for registration is October 9th. The challenge will take place from October 5th to November 27th, which is the deadline for submitting projects. The winning schools will be announced on December 14th.
The rules, a quick guide for teachers, and a parental authorization form are available in Spanish and Valencian. For any inquiries, schools can write to actividad@valencia27.es.
With the València 2027 School Challenge, the championship adds schools to its countdown and brings its slogan, “Ignite the Track”, to classrooms, aiming for "the track to ignite also in the courtyards of the Valencian Community".
