The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has joined Proctor and Gamble, Tissot, BP and Nar Mobile as the fifth official partner of the Baku 2015 European Games. 

The deal will see Baku 2015 European Games branding on every SOCAR forecourt and outlet across the country to raise awareness of the event.

“The majority of tickets will go to local people; that’s a big challenge,” said Charlie Wijeratna, commercial director at Baku 2015 in an exclusive interview that will be published in the autumn issue of HOST CITY magazine. 

“Shifting tickets to people for sports they’ve never historically paid to watch before, you need great local marketing partners.”

SOCAR, which employs more than 60,000 people, will also help to promote the Games through a marketing campaign in four other European countries, including Switzerland, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine.

Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and CEO of Baku 2015, said “The European Games is an opportunity to promote Azerbaijan to the rest of the world and to have the backing of such a highly valued international company is of vital importance.”

SOCAR have a long standing association with major sporting bodies and events, including the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. It is also sponsoring the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship in France.

Mr Rovnag Abdullayev, President of SOCAR, said “Sponsorships across sport are a very significant point for us, and SOCAR is honoured to be associated with such an exciting moment in the history of the country.”

The European Games takes place in Baku from 12 – 28 June 2015, featuring 20 sports and 6,000 athletes.

 “As we continue to count down the days until the beginning of the European Games, it gives us great confidence to know that many major Azerbaijani businesses are backing our efforts to create an innovative event that will unite Europe through sport,” said Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015.

“We are very pleased with how the sponsorship programme has gone,” Wijeratna told HOST CITY.

Representatives from National Olympic Committees across Europe and other overseas dignitaries converged on the capital of Azerbaijan to celebrate the start of a yearlong countdown to the Baku 2015 European Games.

More than 25,000 spectators watched the fireworks and laser light show on Wednesday night, indicating strong public support and enthusiasm for the inaugural European Games.

 “The whole of Azerbaijan is passionate about hosting the European Games – you could feel the excitement all over Baku for our 1 Year To Go celebrations,” said Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive of Baku 2015. 

“The European Games will have a long term positive impact on our country, and particularly on the lives of our young people. We look forward to welcoming people from across Europe to Baku to enjoy world class sport in an amazing city.”

Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in co-operation with the EOC.

 “The scale and pace of development here in Baku have been remarkable,” said Patrick Hickey, president of the EOC. “But we do not have a moment to lose: two years of excellent work have given us the opportunity to stage a truly outstanding inaugural European Games, and we must make the most of that opportunity. 

“Baku 2015 is already in the home straight, and under the leadership of Minister Rahimov I am positive BEGOC will deliver an innovative, sustainable, impactful and athlete-centred European Games.”

Baku 2015 will be the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative new multi-sport event for the continent that will take place from 12 June until 28 June 2015. There will be a total of 19 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and three non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes are expected to represent their nations over the 17 days of competition.

Nine of the sports will offer Olympic qualification for the Rio 2016 Games: archery, athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and triathlon.

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord, the world’s leading sports business conference, today confirmed that the SportAccord Convention 2026 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 24-28 May 2026, following the signing of the Host City Agreement.

This landmark agreement was signed today by SportAccord President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sport, and Baku City Circuit Operations Company.

The SportAccord Convention is a leading global platform that connects key decision-makers and experts from across the global sports industry – from International Federations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), host cities, and rights holders – to discuss and shape the future of sport.

The Baku Convention Center will serve as the hub for cutting-edge panel debates, meetings, exhibitions and networking, while the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid will host the Opening Ceremony, blending Baku’s modern architecture with its rich cultural heritage.

SportAccord President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener commented: “We are thrilled to bring the 19th edition of the world’s most important gathering of sports leaders, the SportAccord Convention, to Baku in 2026.

“Baku has a very strong track record in delivering world-class events, and this will be a significant moment both for SportAccord and the entire global sports industry.

“We are excited to work with our partners from the Ministry of Youth and Sport, and Baku City Circuit Operations Company, to deliver a truly exceptional event.

“Delegates can expect world-class facilities, the warmth of Azerbaijani hospitality, and an environment that fosters new connections and meaningful opportunities for the future of sport.”

The next edition provides a timely opportunity to gather the global sports industry, following the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, at a time when new leadership in the Olympic Movement and shifting priorities are defining the opportunities and challenges facing the future of sport.

Baku is a city which lives and breathes sport, and its renowned expertise in hosting international gatherings provides a perfect setting for the latest chapter in SportAccord’s illustrious history. Its role as Host City is further underlined by its designation as World Capital of Sport 2026 by ACES Europe, recognising its achievements in staging international competitions and investing in modern infrastructure.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, H.E. Farid Gayibov said: “Azerbaijani sports have always been supported with great care and attention by our state leader, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev. Our nation’s sports achievements and our ability to host international events are a direct result of this commitment. Hosting the SportAccord Convention is a fantastic opportunity to further showcase our capabilities and to contribute to the global conversation that will shape the future of our industry. We are incredibly excited to collaborate with SportAccord and are committed to handling this event with great care and responsibility to make it a truly memorable experience for all.”

The vibrant capital of Azerbaijan is situated on the Caspian Sea, and enjoys a rich history fused with striking modern architecture which comprises its impressive cityscape. Baku proudly hosted the inaugural European Games in 2015, and has staged World Championships and European Championships across multiple sports, along with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Formula One since 2017.

Its unwavering commitment to the future of sport was further underlined by the UNESCO Global Sports Conference – MINEPS VII in Baku in June 2023, while in November 2024 global leaders gathered for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in the city.

The 2026 SportAccord Convention in Baku promises to stand at the centre of the global conversation on sport, driving the connections and ideas that will define its future.

Further details, including the Convention’s theme, programme highlights, and registration launch, will be announced in the coming months.

SportAccord continues to engage in productive discussions with other interested host cities for future editions of the SportAccord Convention.

SportAccord President Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener is speaking at Host City 2025 in Glasgow on 1-3 December. Host City is a longstanding media partner of SportAccord