Last year, during some working sessions in Italy and abroad, the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games and the Organizing Committee of Taranto 2026 drew up the official list of disciplines for the 20th edition of the sporting event. 29 disciplines were selected, including fixed, optional and demonstration, for a total of 270 podiums expected in the competitions of August 2026.
Thanks to the Masterplan of the Extraordinary Commissioner and the planned infrastructure, 17 disciplines will take place from the qualifying stages in Taranto, while the remaining disciplines will see their final stages in the host city.
The sporting events will be held in various facilities around the city: athletics at the Valente Stadium, football at the Iacovone Stadium, basketball at Villa Peripato, swimming and water polo at the Torre d’Ayala Stadium, tennis at the Magna Grecia complex, volleyball and gymnastics at the PalaMazzola, boxing at the PalaRicciardi, sailing and rowing at the Centro Nautico della ex Stazione Torpediniere, skating at the Urban Sport Centre della Salinella, cycling and triathlon along the streets and coastline of the city.
By 2026, Taranto will see the redevelopment of at least 7 neighborhood gyms and 3 sports fields in the Talsano, Tamburi and Paolo VI neighborhoods, which will also host unscheduled sports such as rugby and baseball. Overall, the Municipal and Provincial Administrations, together with their institutional partners, will have built or renovated 19 sports facilities for a total investment of almost 200 million euros.
Mayor Rinaldo Melucci, during a meeting with the General Director of the Taranto 2026 Organizing Committee, Carlo Molfetta, expressed satisfaction with the work done. He emphasized that no other city in Italy, except perhaps Milan-Cortina for the Winter Olympics, has built such a large number of sports facilities with a sustainable and rational approach.
Melucci declared that sport is becoming a development engine for Taranto, motivating young people and businesses and attracting investments. He cited the positive impact of events such as SailGP and said the Mediterranean Games will be a further step forward for the city’s reputation and opportunities.
The mayor concluded by highlighting the need to initiate in-depth discussions on hospitality, logistics, official ceremonies and the organization of volunteers. He expressed the desire that, for once, the city could work together to improve its image and better prepare for the 2026 event.
