From 16 to 20 July 2026, Split and the island of Brač will host the first-ever Diaspora Friendship Games Split & Brač 2026, an international sports, cultural and economic event aimed at strengthening the connection between the Croatian diaspora worldwide and the homeland through sport, culture, meetings and exchange of experiences.
The Games are expected to bring together Croatian emigrants, athletes and students from 35 countries, giving the project a strong international dimension and making it one of the largest gatherings of the Croatian diaspora.
The initiator and main organiser of the project is the American Croatian Congress (ACC), in cooperation with around seventy partner organisations from Croatia and the diaspora. The host of the Games is Aspira University of Applied Sciences, while the official opening ceremony will take place on 16 July 2026 at the Meštrović Gallery in Split.
The idea for the Games emerged from informal sporting and social gatherings of the diaspora and athletes in Croatia, where the need for a long-term international event became evident. The Games are designed as an annual event that will rotate across different Croatian regions and will be open to athletes and recreational participants of all ages and genders.
The program includes several sporting and cultural locations:
16 July – Split
Official opening at the Meštrović Gallery at 7:30 PM, including Business Speed Dating and participant networking.
17 July – Milna (Brač)
Sports competitions including tennis, table tennis, pickleball, beach volleyball, bocce, futsal and basketball.
18 July – Split
Competitions in golf, stand-up paddleboarding, and combat sports such as taekwondo, judo, kickboxing, jujitsu and karate.
19 July – Culture and Sport Day
Visit to the Split Sports Museum, city sightseeing, and an exhibition match between veterans of HNK Hajduk Split and Croatian emigrants.
20 July – Closing Ceremony
At Aspira University of Applied Sciences, an exhibition by the “Brotherhood of the Croatian Dragon” will be held, marking the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom, followed by the official medal ceremony, awards, and acknowledgements for participants and hosts.
Information and athlete registration: diasporafriendshipgames.com
