On 10 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first State of the Union speech of the current mandate, setting out the Commission’s priorities for the year ahead. Her address emphasised defence, security, and technological progress, with particular focus on the online sphere. Broader priorities outlined included improving citizens’ living standards, boosting the competitiveness of the EU market, and tackling disinformation through the Media Resilience Program.

Von der Leyen also voiced concern over the humanitarian crises in Ukraine and Gaza, stressing the EU’s continued engagement in these contexts. While sport was not explicitly mentioned, several highlighted areas—such as health, skills development, and inclusion—present opportunities for the sector to align with wider EU objectives.