One Step Out · European Week of Sport 2026

European Week of Sport · 23–30 Sept 2026

Join the European Week of Sport with a series of free, local and accessible meet-ups.

No gear needed. Better if you’ve never tried riding, running or climbing but you’ve always wanted to. Hosted by outdoor shops and grassroots organisations in your neighbourhood, open to every-body.

Find a meet-up near you Organise your meet-up

© Scott M Salt / Love Trails

© The Big Smile / IGOT

23–30 September 2026

Meet-up calendar.

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Meet-ups coming soon

Locations being confirmed

Why this campaign

45%

of Europeans never exercise or play sport. Not for lack of wanting — most were never really invited.

Eurobarometer Survey on Sport & Physical Activity

76%

of disabled people want to be more active. Fewer than half find outdoor spaces easy to access.

Activity Alliance · Active Lives Survey

64%

less cycling by women than men in some markets. More women around means more women riding — the data says so.

Strava Gender Gap Report

Sport should be for every-body. We’re making that real — one meet-up at a time.

one step out is a series of free, local, judgement-free first experiences of outdoor sport — hosted by neighbourhood outdoor retailers and co-produced with the communities that most need an accessible entry point.

No kit, no levels, no pressure. Just a welcoming group, a knowledgeable host, and an hour that could change everything.

Part of the European Week of Sport 2026 · #BeActive ↗

© Luca Bravo / Unsplash

What’s happening

Your neighbourhood, your sport. Show up. That’s it.

IGOT is organising guided first sessions in climbing, riding and running — hosted at local outdoor shops. But ONE STEP OUT is bigger than three sports. Whether you run a walking group, lead a paddling session, host a family nature day or organise accessible hikes, your activity can become someone’s ONE STEP OUT. Register it and we’ll help people find you.

One Ride Out

RIDE.

Always wanted to ride, but never quite started?

Women ride up to 64% less than men in some markets. Not for lack of wanting — more riders around means more riders. Join a local group ride hosted at your neighbourhood outdoor shop. Bikes to borrow, no lycra required.

Find a ride meet-up

One Run Out

RUN.

When did moving start feeling like a test?

45% of Europeans never exercise or play sport. Most were just never really invited. This is your invite. A short, relaxed group run from your local shop — walk when you want, go at your own pace, bring a friend.

Find a run meet-up

One Climb Out

CLIMB.

Never seen anyone like you on a wall?

76% of disabled people want to be more active. We’re holding the door — and the rope. A guided first session on bouldering volumes, fully accessible, led by experienced instructors. No heights unless you want them.

Find a climb meet-up

Community partners & retailers

Got a different activity in mind?

Guided walks, paddling sessions, birdwatching, family nature days, well-being runs — if it gets people active outdoors, it qualifies. Register your activity and we’ll feature it here.

Register your activity

Two steps

Simpler than it sounds.

Find your meet-up

Use the map to find a meet-up near you — climbing, riding, running or any other outdoor activity. Each one is hosted at a local shop or community organisation.

Turn up as you are

No kit, no experience, no performance expected. Just show up as you are. Check the event details for any specific information from the organiser — each meet-up is a little different.

© Camilla Pizzini

Who’s it for

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.

You’ve always wanted to try

You’ve talked about cycling to work, going bouldering with friends, or joining a running club. Life got in the way. This is your chance — low stakes, welcoming group, no commitment beyond showing up once.

You’re looking for your people

Moving is better with others. Whether you already run, ride or climb and want company, or you’re starting fresh and need a safe space to begin — everyone here is at the same door.

You want a genuinely accessible option

No performance expectations, no judgement about body size, fitness level or disability. Every event has an accessibility note. If you have a specific question, just ask — that’s what the local team is there for.

Who’s behind it

Made possible by brands
who mean it.

one step out is a campaign by the It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT), a pan-European alliance of outdoor brands working to make the outdoors genuinely accessible. It sits within the European Week of Sport 2026, the EU’s annual celebration of sport and physical activity.

Campaign lead

It's Great Out There Coalition

Brand partners

Brand partner TBC
Brand partner TBC
Brand partner TBC

Retail hosts

Retailer TBC
Retailer TBC
Retailer TBC

Community partners

Grassroots org TBC
Grassroots org TBC

Stay in the loop

Campaign updates, straight to your inbox.

Be the first to know when new meet-ups are confirmed near you.

Questions

Honest answers.

Is it really free?

Yes. Every meet-up is completely free to attend. No membership, no signup fee, no catch. Some retailers may ask you to sign a simple waiver for insurance purposes — this will be made clear in the event details.

Do I need my own kit?

No. Basic equipment is available to borrow at each event. Come in comfortable clothes you can move in. For specific events, the equipment note will tell you exactly what’s provided and if there’s anything helpful to bring.

I’m not fit. Is that okay?

Completely. These events are designed for people at the very beginning — or people returning after a long break. No times, no distances, no comparisons. The guides are there to make it enjoyable, not to push you.

Are the venues accessible?

Accessibility is a core commitment of this campaign. Each event listing includes an accessibility note. If you have a specific question about a venue or event format, contact the retailer directly via the event page. We’re also working with disability sport organisations to ensure formats are genuinely inclusive.

What is the European Week of Sport?

The European Week of Sport is an annual EU initiative running 23–30 September, designed to promote sport and physical activity across Europe under the #BeActive theme. It involves thousands of events in 40+ countries. one step out is IGOT’s specific contribution for 2026. Learn more ↗

What is the It’s Great Out There Coalition?

The It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT) is a not-for-profit, industry-wide collaboration launched in 2017 to increase public awareness of the benefits of outdoor activity for individuals and for society. Embedded in the outdoor industry and backed by over 50 member organisations across Europe — including major outdoor brands, grassroots groups and conservation bodies — IGOT works to reduce barriers to participation and create more opportunities for people to get active outdoors.

IGOT is an official International Non-Profit Organisation, registered as a King Baudouin Foundation charity and included in the EU Transparency Register. Since 2017 it has delivered 8,379 outdoor activity days, supported 46 projects, engaged 7,154 participants and invested €130,523 in community programmes.

ONE STEP OUT is IGOT’s campaign for the European Week of Sport 2026, supporting the European Commission’s #BeActive initiative. Learn more about IGOT ↗

Can I bring someone with me?

Absolutely — in fact, please do. Bringing a friend or family member is the easiest way to make the first step feel smaller. Just make sure they also RSVP so the host can plan for numbers.