The JOOLA Europe Youth Series continues to set new benchmarks, highlighting the growing momentum of youth table tennis across Europe. For the fourth consecutive year, the season gets underway in Croatia, with Osijek once again welcoming the JOOLA EYS Croatia Open and this edition delivers a new all-time record.
In 2026, from 3rd to 7th February, Osijek will welcome 212 players, the highest number ever recorded at a JOOLA EYS event in Croatia and overall in Series. The figure speaks not only to the strong tradition of the tournament, but also to the steady and consistent growth of the Series as a whole.
This year’s Croatia Open brings together young players from all over the continent. Participants will represent Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, creating a truly international field.
That level of diversity once again underlines the role of the JOOLA Europe Youth Series as a genuine pan-European platform. For many young athletes, it offers an early chance to compete internationally, gain valuable experience and test themselves against peers from different countries.
Participation numbers over the past three seasons clearly show a strong upward trend across several EYS events. The Croatia Open alone has grown from 99 players in 2023 to 150 in 2024, 175 in 2025, and now 212 in 2026, making this its strongest edition so far.
Similar growth can be seen elsewhere. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a notable increase, rising from 112 participants in 2024 to 164 in 2025. The Serbia Open has continued to build momentum as well, moving from 87 players in 2024 to 94 in 2025, before reaching 143 in 2026. Czechia has also shown steady progress, increasing from 97 participants in 2023 to 113 in 2024 and 121 in 2025.
Taken together, the numbers paint a clear picture. On average, EYS events have grown from 81 participants in 2023 to 97 in 2024, and then to 123 in 2025, highlighting consistent expansion across the calendar.
With record participation, an ever-widening geographical reach and increasing continuity among host cities, the EYS Croatia Open in Osijek once again sets the tone for the season ahead. The figures confirm what has become clear year after year: the JOOLA Europe Youth Series is not only growing, but doing so in a sustainable and balanced way, strengthening its role within the European youth table tennis pathway.
