Dakar 2026 unveils plans for the second edition of Dakar en Jeux

The second edition of the festival will take place over five days, and is expecting 30,000 spectators, 2,000 athletes to take part and 200 volunteers to help make the festivities happen.

Kirsty Coventry, the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, said: “After the amazing success of the inaugural edition in 2022, Dakar is gearing up for another incredible celebration and lots of excitement, as we look forward to the Youth Olympic Games in 2026. The festival isn't just about showcasing sports; it's also about embracing the values of the Youth Olympic Games and building bridges between communities. People will have the opportunity to witness incredible talents, experience the thrill of competition, and connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for sports and cultural enrichment.”

Dakar en Jeux 2023 is set to begin with an opening ceremony held at the iconic Renaissance Monument in Dakar. In addition to concerts and performances, all 14 regions of Senegal will come together, showcasing their unique dances and traditional clothing. An urban day will also take place, offering a wide range of opportunities to discover sports like rollerblading, BMX, skateboarding and many more.

Schools across Senegal, in Tambacounda, Kolda and Ziguinchor, will welcome the “Brevet Olympique Civique et Sportif”, a project aiming to promote sports and the Olympic values to 2,000 children.

The city of Diamniadio will also be celebrating as it will transform into a bustling hub of athletic and futsal events where skilled athletes will demonstrate their talents on the playing field. The city will pulse with youthful energy, as young artists captivate the audience with their creativity and passion during a series of concerts.

In the meantime, Saly will draw attention to a range of beach sports, including beach wrestling and beach volleyball, as well as other sports, at Obama Beach. The city will conclude the celebrations with a closing ceremony, combining music and dance performances.

In 2022, more than 1,500 athletes took part in 26 sports initiations and demonstrations over eight days. Alongside the sporting elements, around 30 artists performed at numerous concerts and cultural activities. In total, tens of thousands of people attended the festivities in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, kicking off a series that will see the festival take place every year until the YOG in 2026.

The festival, organised for, by and with young people, is delivered by the Dakar 2026 YOGOC in partnership with the Senegalese Olympic Committee (CNOSS), the City of Dakar, the cities of Saly and Diamniadio, the Senegalese government and the International Olympic Committee.