Flying Disc Included as Demonstration Sport in the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) and the Mediterranean Flying Disc Confederation (MFDC) are delighted to announce that Flying Disc will be featured as a demonstration sport at the 2026 Mediterranean Games being held from 21 August to 3 September in Taranto, Italy. In a recent coordination commission press release, the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) confirmed the final list of demonstration sports for Taranto 2026 – officially qualifying Baseball5, Flying Disc, and Kickboxing for exhibition competitions. Details on the demonstrations – countries, formats, selection process, etc – will be determined in the coming months. The inclusion of Flying Disc is a historic first for the Mediterranean Games program and reflects the growing popularity and recognition of the sport in the region.

The decision comes after years of concerted efforts by the regional Flying Disc community. The MFDC was founded precisely to promote and develop Flying Disc sports in Mediterranean countries, with an explicit goal “to strive for the introduction and maintenance of Flying Disc in the Mediterranean Games.” This announcement meets that core objective and marks a major milestone for athletes and organizers. WFDF – the world governing body for flying disc sports (with 122 member associations in more than 118 countries) and recognized by the International Olympic Committee – sees the Taranto inclusion as a key step in the sport’s broader growth. Flying Disc embodies the values of youth, teamwork and fair play, fitting well with the Mediterranean Games’ mission of fostering friendship and unity among nations.

WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch congratulated all involved, saying “We are thrilled that the CIJM has recognized flying disc as a demonstration sport at the Taranto 2026 Games. This is a historic milestone for our sport and for our 15 Mediterranean members. The Mediterranean Sea links Europe, Africa and Asia, providing a unique opportunity for sport to build friendship and peace. Flying Disc’s spirit of inclusiveness and respect perfectly complements the values of the prime event Mediterranean Games. We affirm our ongoing support for developing Ultimate, Beach Ultimate, Disc Golf and other Flying Disc disciplines in the region, and are confident that this opportunity will inspire a new generation of athletes.”

“MFDC promotes healthy competition between Mediterranean countries in a spirit of friendship and fairness,” stated MFDC Acting President Salvatore Comis. “Headquartered in Rome, MFDC looks forward to the opportunities we have to achieve our objectives, and we expect a strong showing of Flying Disc at Taranto 2026. This inclusion validates the hard work of MFDC’s member federations and volunteers who have organized regional tournaments and clinics to grow the sport across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”

Together, WFDF and MFDC view this development as a historic achievement. It sets the stage for an exciting showcase of flying disc at Taranto 2026 and signals a bright future for the sport in major multi-sport events. Both organizations look forward to working closely with the CIJM and the Taranto 2026 Organizing Committee to ensure a spectacular demonstration competition – one that highlights athletic skill, teamwork and the unique “Spirit of the Game” that flying disc brings to the world stage.

The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport event held every four years for countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea in the year after the summer Olympic Games. They are organized within the Olympic movement, with recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first Mediterranean Games were held in 1951 in Alexandria, Egypt, while the most recent games were held in 2022 in Oran, Algeria. Athletes from 26 nations are expected to participate in the 2026 Games, with 23 Olympic sports contested and 2 non-Olympic ones, with 7 team sports. The 26 countries included are: (Africa) Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia; (Asia) Lebanon and Syria; and (Europe) Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey.