Debrecen4U March 11, 2026

Debrecen’s New Sports Concept Receives Suggestions from over 1,000 Residents

At the end of January, Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa announced that, in response to the development of the city’s sports infrastructure, the City of Debrecen is preparing a new sports strategy.

With the reformed concept, they aim to align future development directions with the expanding range of opportunities. Lajos Barcsa emphasised that during the planning process they will widely seek the opinions of local sports organisations and residents as well, so that the strategy genuinely reflects the needs and ideas of the people of Debrecen. “We want to incorporate their opinions into the sports concept, since we live together in this city, we form a community, and sport also has a community-building power. We would like to make use of this in the coming months,” the deputy mayor said.

Residents can assist in preparing the sports concept by completing a short questionnaire, in which they can report on their sporting habits, needs and preferences. The questionnaire is available on the website of the City of Debrecen, and it can also be completed in person at the New City Hall, the swimming pool and the ice rink.

In response to a question from Dehir.hu, the Mayor’s Office informed us that more than 1,100 people have already done so. Residents’ responses are expected until 31 March, and following the evaluation the new sports strategy is expected to be completed by the autumn.

Reforming the concept is also justified because although Debrecen belongs to the national top tier in elite sport, according to a 2021 survey a significant proportion of residents did not return to an active lifestyle after the coronavirus pandemic. Although the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative and similar movements have brought noticeable progress, experts would like the proportion of residents who participate in sport to increase further.

Further information can be requested from the Cultural Department of the Mayor’s Office on telephone number 517-882, or via the email address sport@ph.debrecen.hu.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu