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Ljubljana-Tacen to Host 2028 European Canoe Slalom Championships

Ljubljana-Tacen to Host 2028 European Canoe Slalom Championships 6.5.2026
Ljubljana-Tacen will host the 2028 Paddle Europe Slalom Championships in the month of April, bringing the continent’s top athletes to one of Europe’s most beautiful venues.
Organised by Paddle Europe and the Slovenian Canoe Federation, the event continues Tacen’s long-standing role at the heart of international canoe slalom.
Taking place at a key moment in the Olympic cycle, the championships will serve as the final continental opportunity for qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
A separate Kayak Cross qualification event will also be staged, adding further significance to the competition week.

Paddle Europe Board of directors has confirmed that Ljubljana-Tacen (Slovenia) will host the 22028 Paddle Europe Slalom Championships in April 2028, in partnership with the Slovenian Canoe Federation.
Set on the Sava River, the Tacen course is widely recognised as one of Europe’s most established slalom venues. Combining a natural river setting with engineered whitewater structures, the course offers a technically demanding and fair racing environment, supported by decades of organisational experience at the highest international level.

A Cornerstone of European Canoe Slalom
Tacen has been a regular fixture on the international calendar for more than three decades, hosting multiple editions of the European Championships, most recently in 2024, as well as frequent ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup events. Its consistent presence reinforces its status as a cornerstone venue within European canoe slalom.
The 2028 edition follows the 2027 European Championships in Kraków, maintaining continuity across leading European host venues and ensuring high organisational and sporting standards.

Olympic Qualification Context
The 2028 European Championships will take place at a key moment in the Olympic cycle, serving as the final continental opportunity for Olympic qualification in canoe slalom ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
In parallel, a separate Olympic qualification event for Kayak Cross will also be held in Tacen in the days surrounding the championships, reflecting the specific competition format of the discipline.

A Technically Demanding and experience venue
The Tacen course is characterised by its compact layout, technical gate sequences, and dynamic water features, providing a balanced challenge for athletes across all events. The venue also offers well-developed infrastructure and experienced event delivery team.
With Europe’s leading athletes expected to compete, the 2028 European Championships in Tacen will once again place Slovenia at the centre of the international canoe slalom stage during a decisive phase of the Olympic pathway.
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