Czech Summer Youth Olympics 2026 in Prague presents mascots
The games will open with a grand ceremony at Eden Stadium
Foto: Český olympijský výbor
The Czech Summer Youth Olympics 2026 in Prague is drawing ever closer. With the unveiling of the official mascots, preparations for the games, taking place for the first time in the Czech capital, are gathering pace.
The Czech Summer Youth Olympics 2026, which will take place in June for the first time in the history of the event in Prague, has revealed its mascots. They are two sea lions, introduced to the public at Prague Zoo. The presentation was carried out by Tokyo Olympic silver medallist in canoe slalom, Lukáš Rohan. The mascots are named Bublinka and Hugo.
The mascots were selected by the Prague City Hall in cooperation with Prague Zoo. One of the two names of the mascots was chosen by schoolchildren. The idea behind the name Bublinka came from Kája, a third-year pupil at Jana Masaryk Primary School in Prague 2. In total, 20 schools from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region participated, submitting around 50 name suggestions for the mascots.
Foto: Lukáš Rohan | Český olympijský výbor
The artistic design and communication concept for the mascots were created by comic artist and illustrator Petr Novák (Ticho 762) and screenwriter and author Martin Šinkovský.
Foto: Mascots Bublinka und Hugo | Český olympijský výbor
Preparations for the country’s largest multisport event are already in full swing
Preparations for the country’s largest multisport event, taking place from 21 to 25 June 2026 in Prague, are already running at full speed organisationally as well. One of the biggest challenges, explained Prague’s Councillor for Education, Sport and Leisure, Antonín Klecanda, is accommodating hundreds of young athletes and their coaches. This requires close coordination with hotels, schools and city districts.
Medals will be awarded in 23 sports across 33 venues. Football will take place, among others, at the Sparta Prague training centre at Strahov; athletics competitions will be held at Dukla Prague’s Juliska Stadium in Dejvice; swimming events at the Podolí complex; and canoe slalom at the Troja Canal. The central hub of the games will be Prague’s Výstaviště Holešovice exhibition grounds, where the Olympic House will also be established, said Jiří Kejval, President of the Czech Olympic Committee.
Foto: Portál hlavního města Prahy
Grand opening ceremony at Eden Stadium
The games will commence with a grand opening ceremony at Eden Stadium, which will also be open to the general public. Ticket sales will begin on 22 February 2026 via the official games website, coinciding with the conclusion of the Winter Olympics in Italy. The aim is to provide a special experience not only for participants but also for sports fans, emphasised project leader Filip Šuman.
Foto: Český olympijský výbor
The Czech Summer Youth Olympics has been held since 2003 and is aimed at young athletes aged twelve to sixteen. The nationwide event for regional teams takes place every two years, alternating between summer and winter editions. The organiser is the Czech Olympic Committee, in cooperation with the rotating host regions.
Czech Summer Youth Olympics 2026
21–26 June 2026 | Prague
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