Youth Olympic Games · Dakar
Tonight, Dakar brings Africa into Olympic history
The big day is here: this Saturday at 6:30 p.m., the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio kicks off the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games — the first edition in history held in Africa, under the slogan “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates”.
Dakar, October 31, 2026. Senegal hosts the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, after Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018. Awarded in 2018 and first expected in 2022, the event was postponed to 2026: the wait ends tonight, in a 55,000-seat stadium.
The opening show promises a great African celebration: some 11,000 performers, including 700 dancers, staged by Adama Diop under ceremonies director Khady Niang. Alongside President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Presidents Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of Mauritania and Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone are in Dakar, as is the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry. A few hours before the ceremony, Senegal's head of state addressed the youth in a selfie video, set to the Games' official song, “Teranga”, performed by Mamy Mbaye.
For two weeks, until November 13, some 2,700 young athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees will compete in 25 sports across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly — Senegal alone fields 136 athletes, its largest delegation ever. Competition already began on Friday with Baseball5, and the mascot Ayo, a young lion, watches over the celebration.
On Festival TV: today's journal devotes its edition to this historic evening — “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates”.
In practice
The event : Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games — 4th summer edition, the first held in Africa.
The ceremony : this Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Dakar time), at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio — 55,000 seats.
The Games : from October 31 to November 13, 2026, across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
On the programme : some 2,700 athletes, more than 200 delegations and 25 sports; 136 athletes for Senegal.
The show : around 11,000 performers, including 700 dancers; official song “Teranga”, by Mamy Mbaye.
Watch : the ceremony is streamed live on the official Olympic Games YouTube channel.