Pannonian Challenge this weekend! 26th edition!

May 20, 2025

Written by Bart de Jong

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Pannonian Challenge, the largest extreme sports festival in the region, has been shaping the identity of Osijek as an urban, sports, and cultural hub for over two decades. From May 23 to 25, more than 100 registered athletes from Latvia, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Spain, Russia, Colombia, Japan, and China will arrive at Osijek's skate park.

“We are proud to announce that this year’s edition of the festival will bring together a large number of male and female competitors from various countries in all three competition disciplines. Among them are members of the BMX national team from China. The female riders of this team are ranked

among the top five BMX athletes in the world, including Olympic champion Deng Yawen,” said Aljoša Vojnović, Marketing Director of the Pannonian Challenge, at a press conference. He also added that the Chinese team's arrival is the result of long-standing cooperation between their delegation and Osijek’s Pannonian representatives, especially Olympic BMX judge Igor Vukadinović Poki, as well as the entire Pannonian team and one of the world’s most famous BMX riders, Daniel Dhers, who has been attending the Pannonian Challenge for over ten years and is also the national team coach.

The official start of the sports program is scheduled for Friday, May 23, featuring BMX and SKATE competitions. On Saturday, May 24, the park will host INLINE and BMX events. The opening party is planned for Thursday, May 22 at the skate park. Entry is free for all visitors. The total prize fund for all three disciplines this year will amount to €7,000. During the two sports days, even the youngest competitors in the junior category will showcase their tricks. The grandstand is ready for this year, as is the music program, which will feature local, national, and regional DJs.

The Pannonian Challenge is not just a sports competition, but also a social, cultural, and economic event that brings the community together, generates positive energy, and contributes to the promotion of the city and region on an international level.

26th Edition Opens with DJ REA from Zagreb And a Photo Exhibition by Ernest Mazarekić

Once again, Osijek becomes the epicenter of extreme sports. In addition to a rich sports program, the Pannonian Challenge also brings a music lineup and a graffiti & breakdance session with support from the Original Skillz Jam crew. The skate park is open to all competitors throughout the week, and national teams from China, the Czech Republic, Latvia, and Slovenia are already preparing on the left bank of the Drava River.

The Pannonian Challenge kicks off with the traditional photo exhibition by Ernest Mazarekić. The opening is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 at 7:30 PM in the skate park. After the exhibition, the opening party will begin at 8:00 PM, with DJ REA from Zagreb and AUX from Osijek taking over the DJ booth. On Saturday, the park will host a graffiti & breakdance session, and after the daytime sports program, the evening will be taken over by DJs from Zagreb and Osijek. The first sports day on Friday evening will conclude with music by Antonio Žuža from Zagreb and KARLITA from Osijek, while Saturday’s evening program will feature DOXIA from Zagreb and Phrasal from Osijek.

Entry to both the sports and music programs is free, and you’ll be able to grab a seat in the stands starting Friday, the first day of the sports competition. See you at the skate park – because Pannonian is more than just sport. It’s a lifestyle. Pannonian Challenge is just around the corner – see you at the skate park!

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