‘Gaudeamus igitur’ will be heard for the 56th time at the University of Gdańsk – this time in the exceptional surroundings of the newly built University of Gdańsk Sports Centre! The ceremony of the 2026/2027 academic year inauguration, combined with the grand opening of the Sports Centre, will take place on 1 October 2026 at 10.00 am. The inaugural lecture will be delivered by dr Thomas Bach, Honorary Doctor of the University of Gdańsk and President of the IOC from 2013 to 2025. The event will also be streamed online.

With the opening of the University of Gdańsk Sports Centre, our academic community will gain a multi-purpose sports hall featuring a full-size court for volleyball, basketball, and futsal, stands seating 300 people, a fitness room, a martial arts room, a music and movement exercise room, and wellness facilities. The centre will be adapted to the needs of people with disabilities and will also serve the local community.

The Rector and the Senate of the University of Gdańsk warmly invite staff, students, alumni and friends of the University to join them in inaugurating the 2026/2027 academic year. Following the ceremony, during which, amongst other things, first-year students will take their oath and the University’s top athletes will be honoured, guests will have the opportunity to tour the newly opened Sports Centre and view an exhibition on the history of academic sport organised by the UG Museum.

Link to the live stream of the event: Inauguration of the 2026/2027 Academic Year – YouTube