The eight-team event will be heading to Aire-sur-la-Lys in February 2023.
France is an established nation at the top of European badminton, and in early 2023 the French fans once again get the chance to watch the local heroes and the European top players on French soil.
The biggest European badminton team event will be taking place in the North-West corner of France.
Pleased to be back
The Badminton Europe Board of Directors have allocated the 2023 European Mixed Team Championships to France, and the championships will be taking place in Aire-sur-la-Lys and it is the first time that France will be organising the European Mixed Team Championships.
- I am pleased that France is back organising one of the major European Championships events, Badminton Europe General Secretary, Brian Agerbak, stated.
- We know that the French Federation and the local organisation always deliver excellent events. The French fans love badminton, and they always create a great atmosphere in the venue, which adds a lot to the badminton experience. Furthermore, it makes good sense to organise major events leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Thankful host
The French Badminton Federation is looking forward to welcoming the European stars once again.
Yohan Penel, President, FFBad:
- France is delighted to host a new continental event. With an ambitious project and a team of highly motivated volunteers, the local club of “le Volant Airois” will do its utmost to make sure that the 2023 European Mixed Team Championships is a successful event for badminton. There is a long-standing tradition of hosting international tournaments which is persisting and we are very thankful for all the stakeholders involved in this.
Fréderic Ducrot, President Aire-sur-la-Lys:
- It is with great pleasure and a lot of emotions that we have welcomed the decision of Badminton Europe to allocate the 2023 European Mixed Team Championships to France and Aire sur la Lys. Hosting such an event is a great challenge for the French Badminton Federation (FFBaD) and le Volant Airois (LVA). After multiple times of hosting a qualification group of the European Mixed Team Championships, it is now an extraordinary opportunity to stage the final phase which will see the eight best European teams. This will be a significant opportunity for our local area and for us to introduce the general public of the Hauts de France league to badminton.
Local medal contender
The French team finished runner-up winning silver medals at the 2021 European Mixed Team Championships in February, and Brian Agerbak hopes to see the French do well at home.
- France have many talented players and they are a contender for medals in particular in European Team Championships. I hope that they will do well and be part of the later stages of the tournament so that the local fans get the best possible experience, Agerbak said.
The last time France organised a European Championships event was in 2020. Just before the COVID-19 lockdown, the 2020 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships took place in Liéven.