From boxing and fencing to cycling and karate, the 2023 European Games were an opportunity for the world’s top athletes to shine ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Congratulations to Italy for winning the European Games with 100 total medials, well above Germany (63) and France (62). Italy topped the count with 35 gold medals. Roughly 7,000 athletes from 48 different countries went to Kraków and Małopolska, Poland, to compete in 29 different sports, 19 of which will be featured in next summer’s Olympic Games. Although some sports kicked off June 20, the European Games officially began with the opening ceremonies in Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków on June 21, while closing ceremonies occurred on for July 2.
Even if you can’t secure a seat to watch the European Games, it’s easy to get your fix by following the live broadcast online. Read on to learn how to live stream your favorite events securely with a VPN.
How to watch the 2023 European Games from anywhere
The European Games’ official website is streaming every event for free! You can securely catch the action in just a few steps:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a U.K. server location.
- Head to Europeangames.tv
- Enjoy the games!
Want it on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Where to watch 2023 European Games for free
BBC iPlayer
The BBC holds broadcasting rights for the 2023 European Games in the UK, and you can watch online via BBC iPlayer and the mobile app. Note that you may need a UK postcode (e.g., KT6 4EU, NW5 2HR) to successfully stream the European Games!
RTÉ
Irish free-to-air channel RTÉ is showing the 2023 European Games, and you can securely stream the action by turning on your VPN and using the broadcaster’s free, on-demand streaming service, RTÉ Player. With over 200 hours of Irish shows and international content, viewers can also enjoy everything from kids’ shows to news, football, and other sports live on RTÉ Player.
Ard/ZDF
Germany’s Ard and ZDF are set to offer live and free German-language coverage of the 2023 European Games. Catch the entire tournament at sportschau.de and zdf.de (be sure to check their schedules before you tune in).
ORF
The Austrian service ORF will offer free streams of the 2023 European Games, also in German. ORF is also a reliable source for MotoGP, F1, and several cycling events.
RTBF
The Belgian channel RTBF will air the 2023 European Games with French commentary. To stream, just connect to its free online streaming platform, Auvio. RTBF is a fantastic channel for sports fans, as it also offers free live streams of Formula 1, cycling, tennis, and more.
RTVE
Spanish broadcaster RTVE will broadcast the 2023 European Games. RTVE is free and includes both local and international content.
Where else can I watch the 2023 European Games?
Eurosport
Price: Varies
Channels: Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2
Eurosport provides live streams of select beach volleyball events in several European markets. Just be sure to check the official Eurosport schedule! Eurosport offers a seven-day free trial.
2023 European Games Schedule
Which sport are you most excited to see in the 2023 European Games? Here’s the full list of events, as well as when you’ll see your favorite sports.
| Sport | Dates |
| Aquatics | June 21-25 (artistic swimming); June 22-28 (diving) |
| Archery | June 23-28 |
| Athletics | June 20-25 (event competitions begin before opening ceremony) |
| Badminton | June 26-July 2 |
| Basketball (3X3) | June 21-24 |
| Beach handball | June 20-22 (event competitions begin before opening ceremony) |
| Beach soccer | June 27-July 1 |
| Boxing | June 23-28; June 30-July 2 |
| Breakdancing | June 25-26 |
| Canoeing | June 21-24 (sprint); June 29-July 2 (slalom) |
| Cycling | June 21-22 (BMX); June 25 (mountain biking) |
| Fencing | June 25-30 |
| Judo | July 1 |
| Karate | June 22-23 |
| Kickboxing | June 30-July 2 |
| Modern pentathlon | June 25-29; July 1 |
| Muaythai | June 25-27 |
| Padel | June 21-25 |
| Rugby sevens | June 25-27 |
| Shooting | June 22-July 2 |
| Ski jumping | June 26-July 1 |
| Sport climbing | June 22-25 |
| Table tennis | June 23-July 1 |
| Taekwondo | June 23-26 |
| Teqball | June 28-July 1 |
| Triathlon | June 27-28; July 1 |
Where are the 2023 European Games?
The 2023 European Games will be held in Kraków and Małopolska, Poland, marking the first time Poland has hosted the event. Azerbaijan held the inagural European Games in 2015, with Belarus following in 2019. As of June 2023, a host for the 2027 European Games has not yet been announced.
How do you qualify for the 2023 European Games?
The qualifications for competing in the European Games typically depend on the sport. In badminton, for example, players must have participated in a minimum of three tournaments counting towards the World Rankings lists during the European Games qualifying period (March 28, 2022, through Mach 26, 2023) and have been registered in the World Ranking list as of March 28, 2023.
How frequent are the European Games?
Much like the Olympics, the European Games take place every four years. Barring any unexpected schedule changes, the next edition should take place in 2027, though a host nation is still yet to be decided.
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FAQ: About the 2023 European Games
Will the European Games be televised?
Yes! The BBC will provide free streams of the 2023 European Games on BBC iPlayer. Mediapro will serve as the host broadcaster of the 2023 European Games and will offer live coverage throughout the entire tournament.
How much do European Games tickets cost?
Tickets to the 2023 European Games vary on the event you want to attend. For example, prices to attend the badminton tournament, for example, begin at around 5 EUR, while tickets to the boxing events cost around 71 EUR.
When is the 2023 European Games’ opening ceremony?
The European Games officially begin with the opening ceremonies in Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków on Wednesday, June 21, with closing ceremonies set for Sunday, July 2. However, please note that event competitions in athletics and beach handball will begin on Tuesday, June 20.
Can I stream the 2023 European Games on my computer?
Definitely. If you’re accessing the streaming service from a web browser, be sure to also install the ExpressVPN extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. The extension has a few features under the hood that can smooth out common streaming issues.
Can I stream the 2023 European Games on my phone or tablet?
Yes. ExpressVPN has apps for every major mobile device, including iOS and Android.
How can I stream on my TV with a VPN?
In brief there are five different ways to stream sports on your TV with ExpressVPN:
-With the native app for a smart TV or streaming device
-By streaming on your computer and connecting to the TV with an HDMI cable
-By mirroring or casting wirelessly to your TV or streaming device from your computer or mobile device
-By connecting to an ExpressVPN-enabled router, which allows for unlimited devices and makes it super simple to connect to different server locations simultaneously
-With MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN’s solution for devices that cannot install a VPN, such as Apple TV or gaming consoles. MediaStreamer only needs to be set up once, although it does not provide the full security benefits of a VPN. (Note that by connecting your Apple TV or gaming console to a router, you can get the best of both worlds!)
For more information on all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your big-screen TV, click here or contact a 24/7 Support agent for step-by-step instructions.
I connected to the VPN but my internet speed is slow!
If your internet speed is slow or your streaming seems to lag, there are a few possible reasons:
-The distance of your selected VPN server location from your physical location
-Your connection type (wired connections are more reliable than wireless connections)
-Suboptimal interconnectivity between the VPN and your ISP
-Slow internet connection speed at your location
-Your device type and processing power
Try each of the following steps to troubleshoot:
-Download the latest version of ExpressVPN
-Connect to a different VPN server location
-Change your VPN protocol
If you try each of the above and are still experiencing issues with your streaming speed, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team 24/7 and someone will be with you in seconds.
I connected to the suggested VPN server location but I can’t log in to the streaming service!
No worries! Server load changes rapidly (especially when lots of people are trying to watch certain events), but that’s exactly why ExpressVPN has high-speed servers all over the world. If you’re trying to access a site in the U.S. or Germany, for instance, try connecting to a different server location in those countries.
If you’re trying to connect to a country with one server location, the first step is to check your location settings. If you’re on a mobile device, disconnect from the VPN, turn off location services, then connect to the VPN again. On both Windows and Mac computers, you can turn off Location Services within the Privacy & Security settings menu.
For more help, you can always talk to a member of our Support Team, available 24/7 by live chat.
What other streaming services can I watch with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN works seamlessly with all the most popular streaming apps from around the world. Using a VPN for streaming ensures you watch securely in blazing-fast HD with unlimited bandwidth, free from ISP throttling (which can sometimes slow down speeds). If you want to watch your favorite team from anywhere—even while traveling or on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi—ExpressVPN is a great way to enhance your sports streaming experience.
