There are exactly 200 days to go until the start of Dakar 2026. As this historic Olympic moment approaches – marking the first edition of the Games to be held on the African continent – discover the facts, figures and must-know information about the upcoming edition of the Youth Olympic Games.

The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together the world’s best young athletes for the first Olympic sporting event on African soil. Senegal’s sporting culture and tradition are deeply rooted in its history and its people, particularly among young people.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will enable 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under to compete. The opportunity to participate in the upcoming Youth Olympic Games is open to the territories of the 206 National Olympic Committees and, for the first time, to an Olympic team composed of young refugees.

Gender equality at Dakar 2026 goes beyond the number of male and female athletes. For the first time in the history of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, there will also be an equal number of events for each gender. The Dakar 2026 programme features a total of 153 events: 73 women’s events, 73 men’s events and 7 mixed events.

Dakar 2026 has unveiled an official slogan that highlights African hospitality and the festive spirit of the Senegalese capital. It is available in two languages: “L’Afrique accueille, Dakar célèbre” in French and “Afrig Dalal, Ndakaaru Jëmël” in Wolof (“Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates”). 

This official slogan is rich in symbolism, as it alone evokes the unique character of this edition of the Youth Olympic Games. Senegal is the first African country to host an Olympic event, which has prompted the Dakar 2026 organising committee to emphasise that these Games belong not just to one country, but to an entire continent.

Several international stars are backing the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, an event that will showcase the future stars of international sport. A number of highly prestigious official ambassadors have already been appointed. 

These include Kalidou Koulibaly, captain of the Senegal men’s national football team, as well as famous figures from outside the world of sport, such as the actor Omar Sy and the influencer Khaby Lame.

Programme for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games – List of 25 competitive sports

Athletics

Coastal rowing

Badminton

Baseball5

3x3 basketball

Beach handball

Beach volleyball

Boxing 

Breaking

Road cycling 

Fencing 

Futsal

Artistic gymnastics 

Judo

Beach wrestling 

Swimming 

Rugby sevens

Skateboarding

Equestrian sports 

Taekwondo

Table tennis

Archery 

Triathlon

Sailing

Wushu

Programme for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games – List of 10 sports

Canoe-kayak

Sport climbing 

Golf

Weightlifting 

Hockey

Karate

Modern pentathlon

Surfing

Tennis

Shooting

The 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games will be held in three cities: the capital, Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and Saly, on the coast. Here is the full list of venues selected to host the competitions.

Dakar

Iba Mar Diop Complex 

Tour de l'Oeuf Complex

Corniche Ouest

Diamniadio

Equestrian Centre 

Dakar Arena

Abdoulaye Wade Stadium

Dakar Exhibition Centre

Saly

Saly Ouest Beach