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Egypt is preparing to host the 12th African University Games, "Cairo 2026," from September 8 to 16, 2026. The event, a major African university sporting event, will bring together the continent's youth on Egyptian soil, with the participation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the African University Sports Federation, and the Egyptian University Sports Federation.

The Games will be organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, headed by Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture; the Ministry of Youth and Sports, headed by Mr. Gawhar Nabil; the African University Sports Federation, headed by Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Vice President of the Games' Higher Committee; and the Egyptian University Sports Federation, under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mahdi, Head of the Games' Organizing Committee.

The official program for the Games will commence with the arrival of delegations on September 7, 2026, followed by the official start of the Games framework on September 8. The sporting competitions will officially begin on September 9 and continue until the Games conclude on September 16, coinciding with the opening ceremony scheduled for September 9 at Cairo Stadium (Cycling Stadium).

The program also includes educational and leadership events on September 10, as well as the African Scientific Conference on September 11 and 12, which will enrich the academic and intellectual aspects of the Games.

For his part, Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, affirmed that the tournament's schedule reflects Egypt's commitment to delivering a comprehensive continental championship that combines sporting competitions with scientific, educational, and cultural events. He noted that hosting African university students in Egypt strengthens cooperation and opens new horizons for rapprochement and friendship among the continent's peoples.

The Minister added that Egypt's hosting of the tournament presents an opportunity to enhance communication among African university students, emphasizing that university sports are not limited to competition but also represent a space for getting to know one another, exchanging experiences and cultures, and building bridges of friendship and cooperation among the continent's youth.

For his part, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the African University Sports Federation, emphasized the importance of adhering to the approved schedule and continuing coordination among the various committees to achieve the highest level of readiness before the arrival of the delegations. He affirmed that "Cairo 2026" represents an exceptional youth sporting event that embodies the values ​​of sportsmanship and fair competition among the continent's students.

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, explained that the approved schedule represents the current framework for events based on available data up to August 2026. He noted that the final distribution of competitions and dates is subject to technical review and final approval to ensure the program's accuracy and comprehensiveness.

The official spokesperson added that "Cairo 2026" represents a sporting and academic gathering that allows the continent's youth to meet, interact, and exchange experiences through a diverse range of competitions and accompanying events extending until September 16.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mahdi, head of the organizing committee for the Games, confirmed that the committee is continuing its daily monitoring to finalize organizational and logistical arrangements at the various venues. He noted that the sporting competitions are distributed between the 6th of October University site (for athletics, Paralympic sports, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, and judo) and Ain Shams University (for 13 main sports, including team sports, swimming, racket sports, fencing, chess, modern pentathlon, and related Paralympic sports).

The organizing committee continues to finalize the organizational and logistical arrangements for the Games through a unified system for delegation services, competitions, accommodation, transportation, and follow-up, ensuring the readiness of all organizational elements to welcome participating delegations.

The "Cairo 2026" Games will feature 22 sports and competitive categories, including 18 major sports and 4 Paralympic categories, in addition to 3 recreational games. This provides a diverse sports program that allows for broad participation in the competitions and accompanying activities.

"Cairo 2026" will witness the participation of 81 universities from 18 African countries in a university sports event that brings together the continent's youth on Egyptian soil, fostering communication, cultural exchange, and athletic competition among them.

The organizing committee is also continuing its preparations for the Games' launch and finalizing all technical and organizational arrangements in anticipation of hosting the competitions from September 8 to 16, 2026.