After six months at the helm, the Cypriot delegation has handed the Presidency of the Council of the EU to Ireland on 1 July, which will steer the Council through the end of December 2026. The Irish Presidency’s priorities are built around three pillars: competitiveness, values, and security. Sport falls under the “values” pillar, with a focus on traditional sports and games. Council Conclusions on the topic are expected, highlighting how traditional sport promotes European values and sporting heritage while fostering open, resilient communities. The Irish delegation will oversee several key milestones for the European sport agenda, including the Meeting of Directors General for Sport (21 September), the Presidency Conference on Traditional Sports and Games (22 September), the launch of the European Week of Sport (23 September), and the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council (20 November).  

The Presidency also arrives at a critical juncture for the EU’s next long-term budget. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin has voiced his ambition to reach agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 by the end of 2026. The EOC EU Office continues to advocate for sport’s recognition as a strategic investment, one that supports health, education, social inclusion, economic resilience, and Europe's competitiveness, within the next MFF.