Free activities city-wide to kickstart Belfast’s European City of Sport 2026 celebrations

Participating Better leisure centres and Belfast City Council community centres will host a weekend of free activities, the first event in the city’s European City of Sport 2026 programme.

The On Your Marks! open weekend will take place on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, with residents invited to drop into their local centre to try a range of sports activities.

Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is needed, and all activities are free. They will include pickleball, fencing, family swim sessions, inclusive climbing, tennis, bike skills and martial arts taster sessions, suitable for all ages and abilities.

Participating centres include Lisnasharragh, Andersonstown, Brook, Olympia, Grove, the Indoor Tennis Centre and Ozone Complex and Shankill, as well as Clonduff Community Centre.

Activities can be pre-booked at belfastcity.gov.uk/cityofsport, with 90+ sessions available over the two days.

“For over ten years, we’ve been proud to work with Belfast City Council to make sport and activity welcoming and fun for everyone across our 16 centres,” said Gareth Kirk, Senior Regional Director with GLL.

“Our open weekend is a great chance for people to drop in, try something new and see what Belfast has to offer as a European City of Sport in 2026.

“We want everyone, no matter your age or ability, to get moving, feel good and enjoy being part of an active, healthy city.”

Belfast is one of 21 European Cities of Sport for 2026, awarded by ACES, following a two-day visit by a judging panel to the city in November 2025.

It is the first time Belfast has been awarded the title, which recognises those cities worldwide who are celebrating sport through infrastructure, events and support for local clubs.

Details of events, activities and other ways to get involved will be added throughout the year. Info on memberships and activities in leisure centres city-wide is also available at better.org.uk/belfast