Children and Youth Olympics 2026 at Eden Stadium Prague – Opening Ceremony Featuring Ben Cristovao
The programme includes the traditional parade of the 14 regional teams, the Olympic oath and the lighting of the Olympic flame
Foto: Lucie Zedníková | Olympiáda dětí a mládeže 2026
The Czech Republic’s largest youth multi-sport event, the Olympiáda dětí a mládeže (Children and Youth Olympics), will be held in Prague for the first time this year. The official opening ceremony will take place at the end of June at Eden Stadium and will be accompanied by a large-scale show for around 10,000 spectators.
The 23rd edition of the Children and Youth Olympics will be officially opened on Sunday, 21 June 2026, with a ceremonial event at Prague’s Eden Stadium. The programme includes the traditional parade of the 14 regional teams, accompanied by successful elite athletes, the Olympic oath and the lighting of the Olympic flame.
According to the organisers, many elements of the opening ceremony will be inspired by the Olympic Games. “Much of it will resemble what sports fans watched at the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina at the beginning of February. We would now like to bring that atmosphere to Prague,” said Filip Šuman, President of the Children and Youth Olympics project.
The musical highlight of the evening will be a performance by singer Ben Cristovao. The organisers said the choice of artist was deliberate, as he has been closely associated with sport for many years. Many fans know him through the song Vlajka, which in the Czech Republic has become associated with this year’s Winter Olympics in Italy.
Video: Ben Cristovao - Vlajka (Official video)
Cristovao also has a sporting background of his own. In 2006, he became Czech champion in freestyle snowboarding. He later achieved international success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well.
“Sport has always been an important part of my life. It teaches many values and is not just about training and hard work. Physical activity should above all be enjoyable. You do not have to be an elite athlete to benefit from the positive aspects of sport,” the musician said.
Prague City Councillor for Education, Sport and Leisure, Antonín Klecanda, also welcomed the artist’s participation. He described Ben Cristovao as a prominent figure in the Czech music scene and a long-standing ambassador for an active and healthy lifestyle. His performance, he said, would undoubtedly be a special experience for the participants.
With this year’s edition of the Children and Youth Olympics taking place in Prague, the event is marking a premiere. The Czech capital is hosting the country’s largest youth multi-sport event for the first time.
Some tickets are still available via the website of the Czech Olympic Team as well as through the Ticketportal network.
Czech Summer Youth Olympics 2026
21–26 June 2026 | Prague
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