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31 October 2025 will mark a significant milestone in the preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will be the first Olympic sporting event ever to take place on the African continent. To celebrate this symbolic countdown, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) is hosting a series of major events: the unveiling of the official mascot by the President of Senegal; the launch of the countdown by Omega; the fourth and final Dakar en Jeux festival, which will take place from 4 to 9 November; and open days for National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
31 OCTOBER 2025: THREE A KEY MOMENT
a. Unveiling of the Official Mascot
The official mascot of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), will be unveiled by His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, in the morning at the Presidential Palace . Also in attendance will be Mr. Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC), and IOC representatives.
b. Mascot welcome by children
À At 12:00children who have completed the Olympic Civic and Sports Certificate (BOCS) programme will gather at the Museum of Black Civilisations to welcome the mascot and take part in educational activities based on Olympic values.
c. OMEGA launches the “ONE YEAR TO GO “countdown campaign
A launch ceremony will take place at 5:00 p.m.,at Dakar Train Station. OMEGA, the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, will unveil the countdown clock for the event.
3. DAKAR EN JEUX - 4TH AND FINAL EDITION
From 4 to 9 November 2025
A flagship event in the (2022-2026) Youth Commitment and Mobilisation Plan, Dakar en Jeux is back for its latest edition. This multi-disciplinary festival combines sport, culture, and education, providing a unique opportunity to share Olympic values.
1. Play Programme
From 6 to 9 November 2025: 9 am to 11 am
Sports education will be at the heart of this final edition of Dakar en Jeux. Demonstration and discovery sessions will be organised, allowing children to try out a variety of disciplines. These sessions will conclude with an anti-doping awareness session. During an interactive discussion, children will learn about the rules of high-level sport, the dangers involved, non-compliant products, medicines, ethics, and the definition of doping. The ten (10) disciplines selected for the programme are basketball, baseball, futsal, judo, boxing, fencing, badminton, table tennis, archery and athletics.
Les 10 disciplines retenues pour ce programme : basketball, baseball, football, judo, boxe, escrime, badminton, tennis de table, tir à l’arc, athlétisme.
2. Music and culture: A major open-air festival
Throughout the week, music and the arts will set the tone in Dakar, Saly and Diamniadio, the future host cities of the YOG:
- 4 November – Concert by Tex (Dakar TER station, 6pm-7pm)
- 5 November – Concert by Kya Loum (Dakar TER station, 6pm-7pm)
- 6 November – Kondiof Ballet (morning), Senegal Art Production (afternoon), concert by Ash the Best (6pm-7pm)
- 7 November – Demba Codou Troupe (morning), 12e Ndiago (afternoon), Fashion Show (6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
- 8 November – Peul Fouladou Acrobats (morning), Casamance Masks (afternoon), A big concert at Saly Beach West (7pm-midnight)
- 9 November – Lébou Sal Gniep Troupe (morning), Faux Lions (afternoon)
3. An international futsal tournament
For this final edition, two international U16 boys' and girls' futsal tournaments will gather four (4) prestigious nations. On the men's side, Brazil, France, Morocco, and Senegal will be the four teams competing. . On the women's side, Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea and Namibia will compete.
The futsal tournament will be held at the Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, giving the YOGOC an opportunity to test its organisational arrangements one year ahead of the Games.
4. Impact spark: Youth at the heart of well-being
Following its success in 2024, the Impact Spark programme returns this year to Place du Souvenir. It will combine physical activities and awareness workshops to promote health and well-being. Young people aged 14 to 18 will learn about behaviours that promote healthy living.
5. "Young Geniuses " and "Spelling bee" contest at Dakar Arena
After completing training for the Olympic Civic and Sports Certificate (BOCS), children will be tested in these competitions to demonstrate their knowledge of Olympic values.
- 6 November - Quarter-finals (9am-10.45am and 3pm-4.45pm)
- 7 November - Quarter-finals and semi-finals (9am-10.45am and 3pm-4.45pm)
- 8 November - Finals and discussion panel (9am-10.45am and 3pm-4.45pm)
For more information, visit our website:
https://www.olympics.com/fr/dakar-2026/dakar-en-jeux/
