The Games are set to begin with the Opening Ceremony on June 21 next year from the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Kraków before competition takes place in 11 cities and the Closing Ceremony on July 2.

"Ahead of us is the biggest sporting event in Europe next year and the biggest sporting event in the history of Poland," said Polish Minister of Sport and Tourism Kamil Bortniczuk.

Chorzów, Krynica-Zdrój, Zakopane, Nowy Targ, Tarnów, Wrocław, Rzeszów, Oświęcim, Nowy Sącz and Krzeszowice are set to host competition alongside Kraków.

"The road was very winding and bumpy," said Marshal of the Małopolska region Witold Kozłowski.

"The establishment of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism turned out to be a big impulse and Minister Kamil Bortniczuk significantly helped us to increase the pace of work on preparations for the Games.

"The further road may no longer be winding, but still bumpy.

"If only because tender procedures are very difficult nowadays."

President of the Games' Organising Committee Marcin Nowak stated that Małopolska was selected as host for its beauty and multitude of sporting infrastructure.

Out of the 21 sports on the programme, the European Games will serve as a Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifying event for 19 of them.