The Croatian metropolis is preparing for an exceptional sporting spectacle that will mark the late spring. In the year it celebrates its impressive 75th anniversary of continuous holding, the traditional athletics meeting will once again make Zagreb the epicenter of world athletics events. From May 22nd to 24th, 2025, the capital city of Croatia will host some of the brightest stars of the queen of sports, confirming its status as an unmissable stop on the international athletics calendar.

This renowned sporting event, known as the Boris Hanžeković Memorial, has grown from humble beginnings into a first-class event that attracts global attention. The jubilee 75th edition will be particularly festive, and the competitions, as in previous years, will take place at two attractive city locations, offering the audience a diverse and exciting program.

Athletics elite at the city fountains and Mladost stadium

The unique concept of the meeting, which combines top-level athletics with an urban ambiance, will once again come to the fore. The first part of the competition, including the attractive Zagreb City Challenge and the Ivan Ivančić Memorial in shot put, will be held in the spectacular setting of the City Fountains. This space, located next to the National and University Library, has become recognizable for its incredible atmosphere where the audience can literally feel the power and energy of the shot putters, being just a few meters away from the world elite. The proximity to the competitors and the informal setting make this part of the meeting particularly popular and an unforgettable experience.

The main part of the program, which bears the name of Boris Hanžeković himself, will traditionally be held at the athletics stadium of the Mladost Sports Park by the Sava river. This stadium, the heart of Zagreb athletics, will be the scene of exciting competitions in running, jumping, and throwing disciplines. The participation of numerous Olympic and world champions and record holders is expected, who will arrive in Zagreb in search of top results and points within the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, of which the Zagreb meeting is a proud member. This status ranks the Memorial among the most important athletics meetings in the world, right behind the Diamond League, thus guaranteeing exceptional quality of competition.

Remembering Boris Hanžeković and rich history

The meeting is named after Boris Hanžeković (1916-1945), one of the best Croatian athletes before the Second World War. Hanžeković was an exceptional athlete, particularly successful in the 110-meter hurdles races, a discipline that still represents the highlight of the meeting and bears his name as a memorial race. His sporting career and life were tragically cut short in 1945 in the Jasenovac concentration camp. The Memorial was founded in 1951 in his honor and as a permanent memory of his sporting spirit and patriotism. Over the decades, the meeting grew, changed locations, but always maintained a high level of organization and quality of competition, becoming a symbol of Zagreb and Croatian athletics.

From its beginnings at the stadium in Maksimir, through the NK Zagreb stadium in Kranjčevićeva street, to its current home at Mladost, the meeting has hosted generations and generations of top world and domestic athletes. Numerous world and national records have been set precisely at this competition, and the stands are regularly filled with athletics enthusiasts who create a recognizable, loud, and fair fan atmosphere.

Jubilee exhibition and expectations for the 75th edition

The great 75th anniversary will also be marked by a special commemorative exhibition. In the lobby of the National and University Library in Zagreb, symbolically next to the fountain area where part of the competition takes place, on May 22nd and 23rd, 2025, an exhibition dedicated to the rich history of the Memorial will be opened. Visitors will be able to see rare photographs, documents, medals, and other artifacts that testify to the development of the meeting from its beginnings to the present day, recalling the biggest stars and most exciting moments.

Organizers expect the jubilee edition to attract a record number of visitors. An estimated arrival of around 10,000 spectators from Croatia and abroad is expected during the three days of competition. In addition to the audience at the stadium and by the fountains, the meeting will once again be followed by millions of viewers worldwide via television broadcasts. Last year's edition was broadcast in as many as 140 countries, and this year, given the jubilee character and the expected strong competition, it is expected that the broadcast reach will be even greater, further promoting Zagreb as a top sports and tourist destination.

Zagreb as host: Sport and hospitality

Hosting such a large international sporting event has a significant impact on the city of Zagreb. Besides promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle, the Memorial also generates significant tourist and economic benefits. The arrival of thousands of athletes, their teams, journalists, and fans from all over the world stimulates the occupancy of accommodation capacities and consumption in the city.

Zagreb offers a wide range of accommodation options for visitors coming to the Memorial. From luxury five-star hotels in the city center, through numerous comfortable mid-range hotels, to more affordable hostels and increasingly popular private apartments, the city can meet different needs and budgets. Many accommodation facilities are located near the sports venues or are well connected by public transport, which makes getting to the competitions easier. Visitors can also use their stay in Zagreb to explore its rich cultural heritage, gastronomic offer, and lively atmosphere.

Besides the competitions themselves, the atmosphere in the city during the Memorial is special. The sporting spirit is felt, and the city lives with athletics. Events such as the shot put event at the fountains bring the sport closer to the citizens in a unique way, creating direct contact and popularizing athletics among all generations. The Boris Hanžeković Memorial is not just a sports competition; it is a first-class social and tourist event that Zagreb proudly hosts every year, confirming its reputation as a city of sport and an excellent host.