Three European Union cities have been granted the status of European Capital of Culture for 2028: Bourges (France), Ceské Budějovice (Czech Republic) and Skopje (North Macedonia).

The title gives cities the opportunity to increase their profile, to make themselves known internationally, to promote sustainable tourism and to rethink their development through culture.

Since 2009, at least two cities have shared the label each year: one from an “old” European Union (EU) Member State, the other from a “new” one. In addition to these two winning cities, there may be a third city from a third country, for example an EU candidate country.

European Capitals of Culture 2025-2028

Cities with the label are designated 4 years in advance to enable them to prepare. The next European Capitals of Culture will be:

2025

• Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy): combined, with the two cities on either side of the border
• Chemnitz (Germany)

2026

• Trenčín (Slovakia)
• Oulu (Finland)

2027

• Liepāja (Latvia)
• Évora (Portugal)

2028

• Bourges (France)
• Ceské Budějovice (Czech Republic)
• Skopje (North Macedonia)

Bourges marks the 5^e French city to obtain the label, after Marseille-Provence in 2013, Lille in 2004, Avignon in 2000 and Paris in 1989.