On 1 July 2026, Ireland assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for a six-month term. The Presidency has identified competitiveness, values and security as its three overarching priorities, under the guiding principle of “Strength with unity”. Ireland also states that reaching timely agreement on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will be an overarching priority, alongside advancing the objectives of the One Europe, One Market Roadmap.

Within the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, the Irish Presidency states that it will emphasise “the intrinsic value of our culture and our sporting heritage, and their essential contribution to European society.” In the area of sport, the Presidency will celebrate Europe’s traditional sports and games, highlighting their importance as “a vehicle to build and maintain open and resilient communities”, and will propose Council Conclusions on traditional sports and games. These are the only sport-specific priorities identified in the Presidency’s official work programme.