Record Field Set for European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Varna

Jerusalem, 25 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Varna (BTA) – A record number of competitors will participate in the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics, which will take place in Varna from May 27 to 31. The event will be held under new rules for the senior individuals.

A total of 43 countries will participate in the championships, with 40 teams in the senior individuals and 40 teams in the junior individuals, featuring a total of 106 individual gymnasts and 26 groups.

Bulgaria will be represented by Stiliana Nikolova and Eva Brezalieva. The Bulgarian group includes Sofia Ivanova, Margarita Vasileva, Magdalina Minevska, Emilia Obretenova, Raya Bozhilova, and Magdalena Valkova. The junior team consists of Siyana Alekova, Aleksandra Petrova, and Dea Emilova.

The European Championships serve as a qualifier for the World Championships. The top 12 teams will qualify to compete with full squads, while the remaining countries will be allowed to send one gymnast each.

Under the new rules, introduced to shorten the competition, the top 20 gymnasts will perform hoop and ball routines in the first final phase. The top ten will then advance to a super final, where they will compete with clubs and ribbon. The remaining gymnasts will conclude their participation after the opening phase.

The European champion will be determined by the combined score across all four apparatus.

The changes were announced by European Gymnastics and will be implemented for the first time in Bulgaria.

Varna last hosted the championships in 2021, when Boryana Kaleyn won silver in the all-around competition.