From 20-22 March 2024, the Spanish city of Granada welcomed the Evaluation Commission of the European Universities Games (EUG) 2028. The Evaluation Commission of the European University Sport Association (EUSA) consisted of Vice-President Ivana Ertlova, Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik and Treasurer Francis Cirianni.

The EUSA representatives were welcomed by the Rector of the University of Granada (UG), Pedro Mercado together with the Director of the UG  Miguel Ángel Guardia, the Secretary General of the UG María del Carmen García, the Vice-Rector for Student Services and Campus Life Juan Luis Benitez, the Director of the UG Sports Centre Jordi Joan Mercadé, and other key members of the university. 

The UG Rector emphasised the University's full support for the organisation of the EUG 2028. The Games will be one of the main events to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the University of Granada. Following the visit, the Evaluation Committee visited several sports facilities in the "Paseíllos Universitarios" before visiting Granada's famous landmark, the Alhambra. 

EUSA was welcomed by the Director of the Alhambra and Generalife Trust, Rodrigo Ruiz-Jiménez. This was followed by a press conference at the Alhambra, attended by all the main press and media representatives of the bidding city, which will compete along with Split, Croatia and Manisa in Turkey.

Granada aims to host the European Universities Games in 2028. EUSA
Granada aims to host the European Universities Games in 2028. EUSA

The Rector of the University of Granada Pedro Mercado, the Mayor of the Granada City Council María Francisca Carazo, the General Secretary for Universities of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Ramón Herrera, the Managing Director of the Spanish Supreme Council for Sport, Fernando Molinero, and the Director General of Sport Systems and Values of the Government of Andalusia, María de Nova.

The meeting was also attended by the Subdelegate of the Spanish Government in Granada, José Antonio Montilla, and the Delegate of the Government of Andalusia in Granada, Antonio Jesús Granados, all of whom expressed their full commitment and support for Granada's bid to host the EUG 2028.

The media was also addressed by Matjaz Pecovnik, EUSA Secretary General, who thanked all the hosts for their hospitality, commitment, and support in preparing the candidacy. The EUSA Evaluation Commission then met with the volunteers and attended the presentation of the bid. 

The important meeting ended with a visit to the Alhambra. EUSA
The important meeting ended with a visit to the Alhambra. EUSA

The presentation was made by the Director of the UG Sports Centre, Jordi Joan Mercadé, and the Councillor for Mobility, Citizen Protection, Urban Agenda and Sustainability, Ana Isabel Agudo. 

The visit ended with the EUSA delegation attending the Closing and Awards Ceremony of the Andalusian University Championships 2024, organised by the UG for more than 2500 participants. This was followed by a guided tour of the Alhambra and a private meeting with government and regional authorities.

The decision of the EUSA Executive Committee on the host of the European Universities Games will be taken at the Executive Committee meeting in Aveiro, Portugal in April 2024. The EUSA Board will select the host city from the three candidates: Split, Manisa and Granada.