Wizz Air is a partner of Mountain Games Cyprus 2026. What exactly is this event?

Wizz Air is the official carrier of Mountain Games Cyprus 2026, which will take place from September 23rd to 26th in various locations in the Troodos region. The name might suggest a large-scale sporting event, but in reality, it will be a much broader event – four days of hiking, cycling, orienteering, sports, local cuisine, music, and activities for the entire family.

The Mountain Games are the culmination of a year-long European project funded by the Erasmus+ Sport program. Eleven organizations from 10 countries are participating, with the primary goal of showcasing Troodos as a place where you can combine physical activity with culture, local gastronomy, and exploring mountain villages.

Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 – what exactly?

The simplest way to say it will be four-day active Troodos festival.

You don't have to be a professional athlete. Organizers emphasize that the event is aimed at people of all ages and abilities – children, families, youth, seniors, people with disabilities, tourists, and more experienced sports participants.

The program does not take place in one stadium. Individual events will be spread across mountain villages, on trails, in schools, in squares and other places in Troodos.

In practice, these will include:

• hiking and walking trails,
• mountain biking,
• orienteering, i.e. orientation in the field,
• U12 football academy tournament,
• traditional games,
• workshops for children and youth,
• music and dance events,
• walks dedicated to culture and heritage,
• tastings and culinary workshops,
• local products market,
• meetings about health, active living and the future of mountain communities.

So the "Games" in the name might be a bit misleading. Sport is an important part of the program, but it is not a four-day competition for medals.

Four days and many places in Troodos

First day, September 23, will have a more scientific character.

An international symposium will be held in Platres on topics including physical activity, public health, prevention and quality of life.

A day later, events will move further into the mountains. September 24 Activities planned include activities in Agros, Madari, and Pitsilia, a trip to the Millomeris Waterfall, and a walk along the Artemis Trail. Dance workshops will also be held in Platres.

On September 25, Omodos will become the center of events

Friday will be especially interesting for people who do not necessarily come to Troodos just for sport.

Events called will begin in Omodos Taste, Move & ThriveThis two-day program is dedicated to local food, gastronomy, and products of mountain regions.

Activities planned include tastings, culinary workshops, traditional crafts, music, and a Troodos produce market. The official program even includes up to 40 stands of local producers and creators.

On the same day, there will also be an orienteering competition and a program prepared especially for blind and visually impaired people.

Final on September 26

On the last day there will be, among other things, Mountain Games Cycling Festival, U12 academy football tournament and cultural walks related to the Heartland of Legends route.

The gastronomic portion will continue at Omodos, and the entire event will conclude with a wrap-up meeting and gala.

Mountain Games take place during European Week of Sport #BeActive, that's why the program includes so many different forms of movement instead of one specific discipline.

And where is Wizz Air in all this?

Just now the organizers announced that Wizz Air is the official airline partner of Mountain Games Cyprus 2026.

According to the MountMed Institute, the carrier will support the arrival in Cyprus of athletes, volunteers, scientists, project partners and visitors from the ten countries participating in the project.

And here an important explanation is needed.

The published announcement did not specify what exactly Wizz Air's financial support will consist of. There is no information about free tickets, special prices for the public, discount codes or additional flights.

The organisers are currently talking primarily about using Wizz Air's extensive network of connections to make it easier for participants from various parts of Europe to reach Cyprus.

Therefore, it would not be appropriate at this stage to suggest that people going to the Mountain Games can count on cheaper tickets.

This event is also for the ordinary visitor

And this is probably the most important information that was missing in the announcement about Wizz Air itself.

The Mountain Games are not an event intended exclusively for foreign delegations, competitors or people associated with the Erasmus+ project.

The official website describes the event as open to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilitiesIndividual activities are aimed at families, children, tourists, seniors, and people with disabilities, among others.

If someone doesn't want to ride a bike or take part in orienteering, they can choose to walk, attend a cultural event or simply come to Omodos for the gastronomic part.

This is why Mountain Games are difficult to describe in one Polish word. They are closer to a great, four-day celebration of active life and mountainous Cyprus than to traditional sports competitions.

Source: Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 / MountMed Institute / Wizz Air