Krakow is competing with Manila for the organization of the international Rotary International convention in 2026

At the end of February, the Polish District of Rotary International applied for the organization of the annual RI convention in Krakow. Krakow and Manila were included in the "short list" out of the seven cities that were approved after the first round of the competition.

Many local entities and professional MICE companies were involved in the offer creation process. Marek Wcisło, Chairman of the Provisional Organizing Committee, adds: "Krakow Convention Bureau (Tourism Department of the City of Krakow) and representatives of the following companies: TAURON ARENA Krakow, EXPO Krakow and Mazurkas Travel provided us with help during the preparation of the offer. The idea of organizing the Convention was also supported by the authorities of the City of Krakow both represented by the First Deputy Mayor Andrzej Kulig and Mayor Jacek Majchrowski himself."

The idea of organizing the RI Convention in 2026 in Krakow gained recognition among Rotarians in neighboring Districts. Governors of the following Districts D-1940: Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Berlin, D-2240: Czech Republic and Slovakia, D-2232: Ukraine and D-1911: Hungary supported the application.

District Governor 2231 Małgorzata Wojtas concludes: "I am deeply convinced that we have a real chance to win this competition, and Krakow will become a meeting place for Rotarians from around the world in June 2026."

Rotary is a global humanitarian organization with more than 1.2 million members associated in 34,500 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical regions. The annual convention offers the opportunity to meet to more than 20,000 members from around the world. In recent years, the conventions have been held in Hamburg, Toronto, Atlanta and Seoul.