Belfast City Council and its leisure partners GLL will host a weekend of free activities at local leisure and community centres – the first event in the city’s European City of Sport 2026 programme.
The On Your Marks! open weekend will take place on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, with residents invited to drop into their local centre to try a range of sports activities.
Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is needed, and all activities are free. They will include pickleball, fencing, family swim sessions, inclusive climbing, tennis, bike skills and martial arts taster sessions, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Participating centres include Lisnasharragh, Andersonstown, Brook, Olympia, Grove, the Indoor Tennis Centre and Ozone Complex and Shankill, as well as Clonduff Community Centre.
Activities can be pre-booked at belfastcity.gov.uk/cityofsport, with 90+ sessions available over the two days.
“This is a great opportunity to get local communities involved in creating a year to remember for local sport,” said Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly.
“When ACES – Worldwide Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation – awarded us our title of City of Sport in November 2025, they highlighted how impressed they were by the passion in Belfast for sport, and the enthusiasm for getting involved and trying something new.
“This open weekend gives everyone the chance to do just that – throw yourself into a new activity, hear how you can get involved with it going forward, find out what else is available in your local leisure and community centre and take advantage of everything we have available on our doorsteps in this special year.”
“For over ten years, we’ve been proud to work with Belfast City Council to make sport and activity welcoming and fun for everyone across our 16 centres,” said Gareth Kirk, Senior Regional Director with GLL.
“Our open weekend is a great chance for people to drop in, try something new and see what Belfast has to offer as a European City of Sport in 2026.
“We want everyone, no matter your age or ability, to get moving, feel good and enjoy being part of an active, healthy city.”
Belfast is one of 21 European Cities of Sport for 2026, awarded by ACES, following a two-day visit by a judging panel to the city in November 2025.
It is the first time Belfast has been awarded the title, which recognises those cities worldwide who are celebrating sport through infrastructure, events and support for local clubs.
All the latest info about Belfast’s City of Sport programme is available at belfastcity.gov.uk/cityofsport
Details of events, activities and other ways to get involved will be added throughout the year. Info on memberships and activities in leisure centres city-wide is also available at better.org.uk/belfast
