The grand parade
The 10th edition of the Golden Age Gym Festival will open with a grand parade, one of the big moments of the event. This inaugural walk will allow each group to proudly represent their country, showcase their colours, and come together with all the other participants in a spirit of celebration and conviviality.
The route, covering a distance of approximately 800 metres, will offer everyone the opportunity to stroll through the heart of Les Sables-d’Olonne. The start will be organised near the Atlantes Congress Centre, before heading to Square de la Liberté. During the route, participants will be invited to walk through the city’s iconic streets to celebrate the opening of this 10th edition together in a dynamic, warm atmosphere before heading to the Arena Stadium for the grand opening ceremony.
Ceremonies
An arena to host the ceremonies
Exiting the principle of the simple show stage and offering a unique dimension to the opening and closing ceremonies.
By choosing an Arena, surrounded by four stands to welcome the participants and the public, the LOC opens a new path for these important moments of the Golden Age Gym Festival.
In the middle of a crowd which will be fully part of the ceremonies, the performers will feel the whole energy of thousands of people.
Sound and light proposed by a new site will enlighten the senses of the spectators to start and conclude as it is supposed to be the 10th edition of the main event dedicated to European Over 50.
The opening ceremony
To extend the energy of the opening of the 10th Golden Age Gym Festival,
an exceptional show awaits you at the Arena Stadium in Les Sables-d’Olonne.
After the parade, transportation will be organised from Square de la Liberté
in order that everyone can easily reach the Arena and fully enjoy this exciting event.
Get ready for an unforgettable opening: a festive atmosphere and a few carefully prepared surprises to mark this anniversary edition… We can’t wait
to reveal more!
Closing gala
To close this exceptional week, the best city performances will be showcased in a final show inspired by the ocean, ecology and gymnastics.
This gala will also mark the official handover to the next host country of the Golden Age Gym Festival, a symbolic transition that will open the door to the next adventure!
For national federations
All groups that wish to be in the gala can apply through their national federation (European Gymnastics will provide the NF’s with an application form). There is no limit to how many applications each federation can send. The maximum duration of one Gala performance is 3 minutes.
Interested groups must accompany their application with the following information:
– Video of the performance
– Title of the music, description of the performance and exact length (max. 3 minutes in and out)
– Number of gymnasts and gender of the group members
– Colours of the costumes (important for lighting and choice of surface for the stage)
– Apparatus used and floor plan
– Whether or not the group will need help when preparing the stage.
The video sent must match the performance presented during the Gala.
Once the Gala-performances are chosen by the TC-GfA and all the groups are informed, the LOC will contact each of these groups to make the necessary arrangements.
To have a well-prepared event, the LOC must also ask in advance for the music used for the performance. This will avoid uncertainties and significantly increases the quality of the entire event.
The TC-GfA will decide which groups can participate in the Gala, this decision will be taken no later than 4 months prior to the event. All the NF’s that have applied will receive feedback whether their group(s) is/are withheld.
The NF send the videos within the 4th of May 2026; any application received past this deadline or not using the official form, will not be accepted.
The decision of the TC-GfA will be communicated within the 4th of June 2026.
During the Golden Age Gym Festival wild cards still can be handed out by the TC-GFA. The organising country is entitled to have at least one group in the Gala.
To learn everything about the GAGF
Discover all the workshops
Discover the stages for city performances
Plan your trip to Les Sables d’Olonne