This Summer Brussels Welcomes New Urban Festival

The world’s best BMX freestyle athletes to compete in a large-scale action sports event for the first time in Belgium.

Brussels, 24 February 2022;from June 30th to July 3rd, Brussels will host the first edition of Urban Sessions Brussels, a new free festival that will turn the Belgian capital into the center stage of the world’s most daring action sports and urban lifestyle.

During 4 days, the world’s best male and female athletes in BMX Freestyle will take part in an international UCI competition in the Josaphat park in Schaerbeek. Urban Sessions Brussels will also include action sports entertainment such as parkour, breakdancing and skateboarding but also street art, and amusement for everyone to enjoy.

Urban Sessions is the first happening of its kind in Belgium and is set to become one of the biggest events of the year on the Brussels calendar. The project is warmly welcomed and supported by the Brussels Capital Region, who believes the event will reinforce the image of Brussels as a thriving capital.

It is with great pleasure that we will be hosting this significant international event, which is highly anticipated throughout the world! The Brussels-Capital Region is focused on the future, and is delighted to work with Urban Sessions and the incredible athletes who will be walking on our soil next summer, because we clearly aspire the same level of excellence. The collaboration with FISE (organizer of the BMX Freestyle UCI World Cup) will ensure spectacle, as much as professionalism. We are excited to offer this exceptional experience, to everyone and bring Brussels back to life”, says Mr. Sven Gatz, Brussels Regional Minister in charge of Finance, Budget and Image of Brussels.

One of the central elements is the international BMX freestyle competition, which is part of the UCI Cycling Calendar. During Urban Sessions Brussels, the world's top female and male BMX freestyle park athletes will compete for victory. Urban Sessions Brussels partnered with FISE, the world-renowned international urban sports world series, to host this leg of the BMX Freestyle competition.

Hervé-André Benoît, CEO of FISE, says: "We are delighted to partner with Urban Sessions Brussels. We share the same long-term vision and look forward to seeing this event grow in the coming years, with the ambition of hosting a World Cup event in 2023 which would then be a qualifying event for the Paris Olympic Games."

Further, throughout the 4 days event, the festival will offer multiple activities such as action sports demonstrations and initiations, street art, music, and entertainment. Visitors of all ages will be able to enjoy and participate in a wide range of activities, show their skateboarding skills, defy gravity on the parkour obstacles or enjoy the live painting by street artists.

A free festival in the heart of Brussels with top sport entertainment and activities for everyone, Urban Sessions Brussels will kick off the summer season in the best way possible.

The dynamic municipality of Schaerbeek is honoured to host this unique event. “Schaerbeek has decided to host the first edition of this event which is a first in Belgium”, says Cécile Jodogne, Mayor of Schaerbeek. "We share common attributes such as dynamism, challenges, feats, youth, creativity, courage, sportsmanship... with the athletes and the different disciplines of the event. Additionally, visitors will also be able to appreciate the shops, exceptional heritage and the fabulous park that Schaerbeek has to offer". ​ Thomas Eraly, Alderman for Sports says: "this event is a great opportunity to showcase the dynamic sports atmosphere of the municipality and its urban sports clubs (parkour, hip hop dance, street workout, etc.). We want to let the youth of Schaerbeek discover new sports and bring them in contact with the world's greatest athletes. It might help them discover a new vocation and perhaps, the event might bring about future athletes”.

About Urban Sessions Brussels

Urban Sessions Brussels combines action sports with urban culture in a refreshing way during a four-day festival in Brussels. The event is free and open to visitors of all ages. As host of a UCI BMX Freestyle competition presented by FISE, Urban Sessions Brussels will welcome the best riders in the world, who will compete in top class contests. The event also includes demonstrations and initiations which makes it accessible to everyone and promises to be the perfect occasion to kick off the summer season. Urban Sessions Brussels is organised by Urban Generations, led by Matthieu Gheysen, who has over fifteen years of experience in international event management.

Date: 30 June – 03 July 2022

Location: Park Josaphat - Avenue Ambassadeur van Vollenhoven, 1030 Schaerbeek

You can find more information on the website - https://urbansessions.be/

or follow us on social media:

Instagram @urbansessions.official

Facebook @urbansessions.official ​

LinkedIn Urban Sessions

Press Contact

Ciara Reid

Communication@urbansessions.be

0471/32.32.67

Copyright pictures: ©Theagency

Eva Vanhengel

Woordvoerder / porte-parole, Kabinet van Minister Sven Gatz

About Sven Gatz

Contact

Brussels minister voor Financiën, Begroting, Ambtenarenzaken en Meertaligheid Vlaams minister van Brusselse Aangelegenheden Avenue des Arts, 9 1210 Brussels

02 209 28 11

info.gatz@gov.brussels

www.svengatz.be