14th European Blues Challenge 2026

Mark the dates 16 – 18 April 2026 in your calendars

The EBC 2026 will then take place in Poland, in the beautiful city of Katowice.


A commercial street in Katowice

14th European Blues Challenge 2026

Katowice is located in southern Poland. It is a center of commerce, business, transportation, and culture. Katowice is the home of many national and internationally renowned popular music festivals. Rawa Blues, named after a stream that passes through Katowice’s city center, is said to be the biggest indoor blues festival in the world.

Katowice is also a well-connected city, where the A1 and A4 highways intersect allowing for travel in all directions across Europe. The dense network of railway lines makes it possible to easily reach Prague, Vienna, Budapest or Berlin in just a few hours. Katowice International Airport, about 20 km from downtown, is one of the largest and most dynamically developing airports in the country. Moreover, within a 100 km radius, there are two other international airports in Krakow and Czech Ostrava.

The official currency in Poland is zloty (PLN).

1 PLN is about 0,25 euros; 1 euro is about 4 PLN


THE VENUES

 

SEMI-FINALS

Miasto Ogrodów

EBC 2026 - Miasto Ogrodów in Katowice

Miasto Ogrodów – Katowice City of Gardens is a leading cultural center in Poland, housed in a modernist building opened in 1965.

Over the decades, it has hosted cinema, theater, music and exibitions, becoming a vital hub of the city’s artistic life.

Its main auditorium, with 992 seats, welcomes concerts, festivals and conferences.

It is located at ul. Sejmu Śląskiego 2, 40-032 Katowice

The two Semi-Finals, The Blues Market and The Blues Expo will be held at Katowice Miasto Ogrodów (Cultural Center)


FINALS

NOSPR

14th European Blues Challenge 2026 - NOSPR

The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice is one of Poland’s most prestigious cultural institutions, continuing a rich musical tradition dating back to 1935.

Since 2014 it has been based in a purpose built concert hall designed by Konior Studio, recognized internationally for its outstanding acoustics created with the guidance of Nagata Acoustics.

The Great Concert Hall offers seating for 1,800 listeners. There will be 1400 available for the EBC 2026.

Beyond the main hall, the building houses a chamber hall, rehearsal spaces, and areas for artistic and community activities, strengthening its role as a vibrant cultural hub.

Located in the heart of Katowice’s Cultural Zone, the address of NOSPR is Plac Wojciecha Kilara 1, 40-202 Katowice, Poland

The Grand Finale, The EBU General Assembly and The Blues Expo will be held at the NOSPR Concert Hall (National Radio Symphony Orchestra)