2023 European Ultimate Frisbee Championships flying into Limerick

Cian Hypolite and Christy McAllister pictured as details of the 2023 European Ultimate Frisbee Championships Flying into Limerick were announced today at the University of Limerick. Pic. Brian Arthur

Over 1,300 participants from over 20 European Countries will descend on Limerick for the 2023 European Ultimate Frisbee Championships

The event comes on the back of the successful hosting of the 2022 World Masters Ultimate Frisbee Championships last summer. 

Taking place at the University of Limerick Sports Campus from Saturday 15 July to Saturday 22 July, the international event will see Europe’s most elite Ultimate Frisbee athletes representing their nation in the battle for European titles. 

The participants, along with media partners, officials, volunteers and team guests, will all be staying in and around Limerick city for the week of the tournament, providing a unique sporting atmosphere and a massive economic boost for the region.  

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Siege Events led the bid for the event to the European Ultimate Federation (EUF) with the support of UL Conference and Sports Campus, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Failté Ireland and Limerick City and County Council. 

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon, said, “Once again, Limerick has proven its sporting and hospitality credentials to an international audience. Last year’s world championships resulted in a significantly positive economic impact for Limerick, the surrounding areas and Ireland as a whole. Siege Events are to be commended for attracting another Ultimate event of scale to Limerick. Winning both bids back-to-back is also testament to the superb sporting facilities and infrastructure we have here. Congratulations to everyone involved, we look forward to seeing the games take off and welcoming so many European visitors to our city and county.” 

Andrea Furlan, President of the European Ultimate Federation, said “The European Ultimate Federation (EUF) is impressed with the venue at the University of Limerick and by the professionalism the whole organisation led by Siege Events has shown in managing events of comparable size as the EUF European Ultimate Championship.” 

“It is challenging to find hosts for week-long tournaments that require more than 20 top quality and full-size fields ideally at one site, accommodation for participants and a large staff able to cope with all challenges such a large event brings. With Siege Events, we have found skilled partners that can offer a top-quality organisation for all European countries and to all supporters who cheer for their national team,” he continued. 

The 2023 Championships will be the first EUF European Ultimate Championships since 2019. Taking place every 4 years since 1981, the last edition of the Championships was in Györ, Hungary, in 2019, featuring 54 teams from 25 nations and over 1,000 participants. The 2023 edition of the event will be the first time Ireland will be in a position to defend their title on a European Level as Women’s European Gold Medalists, beating Switzerland 15-8. As a first for not only a team in the Irish Ultimate Community but also a first for team sports in Ireland, an achievement recognised and commended by President Michael D Higgins. 

Siege Events will act as the local organising committee for the tournament on behalf of the European Ultimate Federation. It is headed up by Barry Walsh and Liam Grant who previously organised and hosted the annual Siege of Limerick, Ireland’s largest Ultimate Tournament, and of course, the most recent commendable spectacle, the WFDF World Masters Ultimate Club Championships 2022 (WMUCC).  

Tournament Director and Siege Events’ lead Liam Grant commented, “We are absolutely delighted to be hosting the EUF 2023 European Ultimate Championships. It is a great honour to be trusted with hosting this event, and it comes off the back of a hugely successful week hosting WMUCC 2022.” 

“The facilities here at the University of Limerick are world-class, and we are excited to showcase them to even more of the global Ultimate community. The modern campus will give the event an Olympic village feel and will allow for a stress-free experience. Our all-star organising committee are back and ready, and we know the city stands fully behind us, to make this a memorable tournament. Hosting back-to-back major international events will positively impact the Ultimate community here in Limerick for years to come. We look forward to giving Europe’s elite Ultimate players our famous Irish welcome,” he continued. 

Speaking on behalf of UL Conference & Sports Campus, David Ward said, “Hosting another International Ultimate event – the  European Ultimate Championships at the University of Limerick highlights the success of our one stop model with accommodation, catering and sport on site. We are delighted to work with Siege Events and the European Ultimate Federation to welcoming the international ultimate community back to Limerick and deliver, what we hope will be another exceptional Ultimate event.” 

Karen Brosnahan, General Manager, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, said “We are delighted to see another Ultimate Frisbee tournament coming to Limerick. This is testament to the collaborative efforts of UL, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau and Limerick City and County Council working together to promote Limerick as a host city and developing strong relationships with the sporting bodies and event organisers. Sporting events like this are highly lucrative, contributing significantly to the local economy.”  

During the 8-day tournament, athletes will be competing in their respective divisions; be that Mixed, Open or Women’s.

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