Athlete Entries In | Europe's Elite Set for 2026 European Rowing Championships in Varese

434 athletes from 31 nations are confirmed to compete at the 2026 European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy, for a thrilling showdown of speed, strength, and strategy. As national pride fuels every stroke, expect fierce rivalries, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable moments on Varese’s classic course. Follow the world’s best crews as they battle for continental glory in one of rowing’s most prestigious events.

LAUSANNE – The 2026 European Rowing Championships are set to take place in Varese, Italy, from 31 July to 2 August, with 434 athletes representing 31 of European Rowing’s 46 member federations. It marks the fourth time Varese has hosted the Championships, following 2012 and 2021, and adds to a rowing résumé that already includes the 2013 World Rowing Masters Regatta, the 2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, the 2022 combined World Rowing U19 & U23 Championships, and World Rowing Cups from 2015 to 2025. Lake Varese, at the foot of the Campo dei Fiori mountain range, will next host the World Rowing Masters Regatta in 2027.

This year’s Championships will run across three days of racing – down from four in previous editions – as the progression system introduced in 2025 enters its second year. Under this format, the top two crews from each heat advance directly to the next round, with remaining places filled by the fastest qualifying times, eliminating repechages and streamlining the schedule.

A total of 195 boats will race across 24 boat classes – with additional classes offered but ultimately not filled by entries. Among them are two firsts for the event: the Mixed Eight (Mix8+) and Mixed Double Sculls (Mix2x) will be contested at the European Rowing Championships for the very first time. Romania’s Mixed Eight arrives as a crew to watch, retaining five athletes – Maria Magdalena Rusu, Ciprian Tudosa, Florin Sorin Lehaci, Stefan Constantin Berariu, and cox Victoria Stefania Petreanu – from the boat that won gold at the 2025 World Rowing Championships.

The Men’s Double Sculls (M2x) has attracted the largest field of any boat class, with 18 entries. Among them are Aaron Andries and Tibo Vyvey of Belgium, winners on the World Rowing Cup circuit this season and among the crews to beat in Varese.

Host nation Italy leads all countries in participation, entering crews in 22 of the 24 boat classes. That includes the Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x), 2025 World Champions and the 2025 World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year, who arrive in form having won at Henley Royal Regatta earlier this month. Italy’s Women’s Pair (W2-) of Alice Codato and Laura Meriano also took their event at Henley, adding another home crew with momentum heading into the Championships.

Several familiar faces return from last year’s European podiums. The Men’s and Women’s Single Sculls, along with the PR1 Men’s Single Sculls and PR1 Women’s Single Sculls, all bring back athletes who medalled in Plovdiv in 2025. Denmark’s Frida Sanggaard Nielsen, third in the W1x last year, opens her season in Varese in what will be her first international race of 2026. In the PR1 M1x, Ukraine’s Roman Polianskyi and Italy’s Giacomo Perini – second and third respectively in 2025 – both return, while Ukraine’s Anna Sheremet, the reigning World and European Champion in the PR1 W1x, will look to defend her title on home continental waters.

Racing begins with heats, continues through semi-finals, and concludes with finals over the final two days of competition. Live coverage will be available on worldrowing.com.

For the full list of entries, visit the 2026 European Rowing Championships event page.

About the European Rowing Championships

The European Rowing Championships are among the oldest pan-continental sporting events, dating back to 1893, when the event featured just three races, all for men. The Championships were staged almost annually from 1893 to 1973, after which they were replaced by the World Rowing Championships. A European Rowing Championships event was reintroduced to the international rowing calendar in 2007.

About the Venue

Located in northern Italy at the foot of the Campo dei Fiori mountain range, 55 km north of Milan, Varese overlooks Lake Varese. The town has a population of approximately 80,000. Lake Varese itself is 8.8km long and 4.5km wide.