Plazma Sports Games mark 30 years as North Macedonia reaches Split final for the first time

Split will host the international final of the Plazma Sports Games for Youth from August 17 to 22, 2026, as the competition celebrates its 30th season. The tournament — Europe's largest amateur youth sports event — says it has involved 3,869,000 children and young people since its launch three decades ago.

This year marks a milestone for North Macedonia: for the first time the country has qualified to compete in the final in Split. The Games, which began in Croatia and expanded 16 years ago to Bosnia and Herzegovina and later to Serbia and Slovenia, reached new breadth in 2026 with the presence of Ukrainian teams.

High participation and professional standards

The international finale gathers 1,224 competitors from six countries — the top youth athletes from North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovenia — plus 204 children from Ukraine. The event features both competition and cultural exchange: participants will meet sports idols, make friends and enjoy the sights of Split over the five-day programme.

"Thirty years ago we had one idea — that every child should have the opportunity to practice sport. Today behind us are millions of children, thousands of towns and five countries where the Games are held completely free of charge. This would not be possible without our partners, sponsors, institutions, host cities and the people who for three decades have believed in this idea. I thank everyone who is part of the Games, and especially the children who are our greatest motivation to do even better. We believe we are on the right path, because every child deserves to play, which is shown by this, the largest ever, International finale," said Zdravko Marić, president of the Plazma Sports Games for Youth.

The highlight of the finale is the Coca‑Cola Cup — Europe’s biggest amateur five‑a‑side football tournament — which this year involved 172,748 participants across 703 tournaments and will stage men's and women's finals in Split. Women's participation has been growing: 17,445 girls took part in this year’s Cup, and cooperation with UEFA and the UEFA Foundation for Children — led by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin — began in 2020.

National organisers report that North Macedonia’s debut season involved 27,271 children across the country; 151 competitors and 52 teachers/coaches are attending the international final in Split. Macedonian teams will compete in ten disciplines: Coca‑Cola Cup 2011, small football 2015, athletics, 3x3 basketball, dodgeball, handball, volleyball and beach volleyball, tennis, ping‑pong and chess.

Photo: press material from the event