Ljubljana will once again be at the heart of top-level judo in mid-February. On Saturday and Sunday, 14–15 February 2026, Arena Stožice will host the Ljubljana European Open, the largest international judo competition in Slovenia, attracting elite judokas from around the world to the Slovenian capital.

The event is already confirming its strong international reputation, with 430 judokas from 37 countries registered so far, and additional entries expected before the start of the competition. The tatami will feature a mix of experienced national team members and promising young athletes, all competing for valuable World Ranking List points in exceptionally strong competition.

A special focus of this year’s edition is the Slovenian national team, whose line-up has now been confirmed. Slovenia will be represented by 32 athletes – 15 women and 17 men – who will look to make the most of competing in front of a home crowd and challenge the world’s best.

Slovenian women competing in Stožice:

• -52 kg: Arabela Kostanjevec

• -57 kg: Nika Tomc, Jevgenija Gajić, Ana Škrabl, Zarja Mastnak, Haya Veinhandl Obaid, Živa Soršak, Maša Slavinec

• -63 kg: Kaja Kajzer, Leila Mazouzi, Neža Mesiček

• -70 kg: Kaja Schuster, Nika Koren, Neža Hladnik

• +78 kg: Tara Janjić

Slovenian men competing in Stožice:

• -60 kg: David Štarkel, Gal Blažič

• -66 kg: Gašper Kokalj, Nik Eljon Jarc

• -73 kg: Martin Hojak, Urh Ogrizek, Rok Plešnik

• -81 kg: Nace Herkovič, Aljaž Plantak, Juš Mecilošek, Igor Tsurkan, Lovro Močnik

• -90 kg: Timotej Kos, Oliver Komić

• -100 kg: Gal Bertalanič Žižek, Gabriel Lipič, Marko Vrhovnik

Stožice promises a weekend of outstanding sporting action, full of technical excellence, intensity, and high-level contests. For spectators, the event will be a true judo spectacle—appealing both to dedicated judo enthusiasts and to those discovering the sport for the first time.

In February, Ljubljana will once again breathe judo—join us and be part of one of the biggest judo events in Slovenia.