2026 European Youth Fistball Cup in Laakirchen

Name: 2026 European Youth Fistball Cup in Laakirchen
Start: 2026-10-03CEST09:00:00
End: 2026-10-03CEST18:00:00
Location: Freibad Laakirchen

03.10.2026 / 09:00- 18:00 (Further dates)

Laakirchen, Freibad Laakirchen

Sportveranstaltung

Obertshausener Straße 1
4663 Laakirchen

Free entry

information: Travel Information

Time period: 23.09.2026 - 04.10.2026

Description:

Here’s how to get to the 2026 European Youth Fistball Cup in Laakirchen, located in the Traunsee-Almtal region of the Salzkammergut:

We recommend traveling by public transportation!

By train and bus:
Take the Salzkammergutbahn (Line 170) from Attnang-Puchheim Station to Gmunden Station; from Gmunden Station , take OÖVV bus lines 505 or 524 to Laakirchen, getting off at the “Laakirchen Sportzentrum” stop
The bus stop is right next to the entrance to the outdoor pool and the Laakirchen Sports Center.

By bike:
The outdoor pool and the Laakirchen Sports Center are also very easily accessible by bike. The R4 Traun Cycle Path runs right through Laakirchen and passes directly by the outdoor pool, continuing either toward Gmunden—where it connects to the R2 Salzkammergut Cycle Path and the Traunviertel Tour—or toward Steyermühl and on to Lambach.

By car:
A1 West Autobahn: From Munich/Salzburg or Vienna/Linz - Take the A1 Laakirchen West exit – follow the B144 toward Gmunden; immediately after leaving Steyermühl, turn toward Laakirchen at the intersection near the LIDL supermarket; the entrance to the outdoor pool and sports center is about 150 meters ahead.
Similarly, coming from Bad Ischl on the B145 - Continue to Gmunden, then take the B144 toward Laakirchen/Lambach; at the intersection near the Lidl supermarket, turn toward Laakirchen, and after about 150 meters, you’ll find the entrance to the outdoor pool and sports center.

Parking:
Numerous parking spaces are available around the sports center and outdoor pool.

Please use only the designated parking spaces and be considerate of private property!
Thank you for your cooperation!

Event information

Laakirchen Becomes the Stage for Europe's Up-and-Coming Faustball Players

In the fall of 2026, Upper Austria will take center stage for European youth fistball:
On October 3 and 4, the EFA European Youth Fistball Cup will be held in Laakirchen.

The best youth teams from European federations will compete in the boys’ and girls’ U14 and U18 divisions. Host region Upper Austria enters the tournament as the defending champion following its victory in Dresden in 2025.

For many young players, Laakirchen is no stranger. Just last July, the town hosted a youth camp lasting just under a week, which took place immediately following the U18 European Championship in Freistadt. The positive experiences from that event likely played a role in the discussions regarding the European Youth Cup. “We’re delighted to have found an excellent host for the European Youth Cup in ASKÖ Laakirchen Papier,” emphasizes Frank Seewald, Secretary General of Faustball Austria. In recent months, the association had held intensive discussions with several potential hosts before finally receiving confirmation from Laakirchen.

Schedule:
Saturday, October 3, 2026

9:00 a.m.: Opening ceremony with welcome remarks
9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Preliminary round matches
7:00 p.m.: Evening event at Kulturstadl Hoidinger (private gathering)

Sunday, October 4, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Quarterfinal and semifinal matches
Approx. 3:00 p.m.: Awards ceremony and closing

The European Youth Cup is considered the largest international youth event in fistball. “The event is always a great experience for young fistball players,” says Klaus Wildmann, youth coordinator for Faustball Austria. ASKÖ Laakirchen Papier is organizing the event in close cooperation with the national federation. “Together, we want to put on a fantastic event for Europe’s young fistball players,” announces Laakirchen’s head of organization, Ernst Almhofer.

Numerous national federations from across Europe are expected to attend—and with them, a large number of talented young players. At the last tournament in early October in Dresden, 59 teams from five countries participated, including three Austrian federations from Salzburg, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria.

The European Youth Fistball Cup has a long tradition: The competition was launched in 1996 by the Sports Committee of the Working Community of the Alpine Countries (ARGE ALP Länder), and its organization is now in the hands of the European Fistball Association (EFA). The 30th edition of the competition is scheduled for 2026. Austria will be hosting the event for the ninth time—most recently in Münzbach in 2019. Now, for the first time, Laakirchen is hosting the EFA European Youth Cup and will be the focal point for Europe’s young fistball talent for two days.