Cairo 2026 African University Games to bring together athletes from 17 countries in Sept.

CAIRO – 19 August 2026: The countdown is on for the 12th African University Games, “Cairo 2026,” as Egypt prepares to welcome around 2,000 athletes and administrators from 17 African countries for the continental university sports event from September 8 to 16.

Hosted in Egypt for the first time, the games are organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Federation of Africa University Sports and the Egyptian University Sports Federation.

The tournament will bring together delegations from 81 universities, reflecting the scale of participation and creating a vibrant platform for competition, cultural exchange and new connections among university students from across Africa.

The games will provide an opportunity to deepen cooperation among African university students and showcase Egypt’s ability to host major continental sporting events.

The Cairo 2026 program features competitions across 18 main sports, along with three recreational activities and four Paralympic sports, offering a diverse lineup that combines high-level competition with entertainment and inclusive participation.

Competitions will take place at universities and sports venues across Greater Cairo, including Ain Shams University, Capital University, the American University in Cairo, the Sports Center Maadi and The Club club’s sports facilities in the New Capital.

Beyond the competition, the games will feature cultural and social activities designed to bring university students together, highlight shared values across the continent and encourage the exchange of experiences and ideas.