European Games

Azerbaijan has proven that it is a major European nation which is able to stage high-quality sporting events.

In 2015, it announced itself on the international stage by holding the inaugural edition of the European Games in Baku, attracting 6,000 competitors. 

Fifty European countries took part in 30 sports from June 12 to 28, in world-class venues which continue to be used for the globe's best athletes.

Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva played an active role as head of the Organising Committee, and the country's President Ilham Aliyev declared the European Games open at the Opening Ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony also included a performance from American pop star Lady Gaga.

Russia topped the medals table with 79 golds, but the exciting potential of Azerbaijan sport was highlighted as the host nation finished second with 21 titles and 56 medals in all.

The branding for the Games reflected Azerbaijan's culture and a pomegranate and a gazelle were chosen as mascots.

An estimated worldwide television audience of 1.7 billion people watched the sports events and ceremonies at Baku 2015, with footage broadcast via 38 European broadcast stations and an additional 53 from outside Europe, as the country was put on the map.

A survey among more than 150,000 young people reveled that 80 per cent of respondents believed that the Games played a positive role in promoting Azerbaijan.

In 2019, as a legacy of the event, Baku staged the European Youth Summer Olympic Festival.

The European Games played a huge part in promoting Azerbaijan as a major sporting player, with high-level athletes and superb venues capable of staging the best competitions.

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Euro 2020

Baku's credentials as a sporting hub were given another boost when it was chosen as one of the hosts for UEFA Euro 2020 - which was staged in 11 destinations across Europe.

Azerbaijan's capital was selected to stage a quarter-final and three Group A matches at the Baku Olympic Stadium, joining other major footballing cities from the continent.

The first group game was a 1-1 draw between Wales and Switzerland and the stadium then hosted Wales' 2-0 victory over Turkey four days later.

On June 20, Baku staged Switzerland's 3-1 success against Turkey.

The stadium's quarter-final clash saw Denmark beat Czech Republic 2-1 on July 3, with the combined attendance of the four Games around 75,000 people.

Baku had already demonstrated football prowess by staging the UEFA Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea in 2019.

The city's Euro 2020 hosting has resulted in the legacy of more children playing football in the country.

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Islamic Solidarity Games

Two years after the Baku 2015 European Games, Azerbaijan's capital showcased its capability of holding huge multi-sport events again by staging the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games.

Fifty-four countries and 6,000 athletes competed at the event which used many of the venues which had been built for two years earlier.

Azerbaijan starred on the field of play as the impact of hosting events on the standard of its athletes again became apparent.

The host nation topped the medal table, winning 75 golds, 50 silvers and 37 bronze.

By adding the staging of another major event to its portfolio, Baku and Azerbaijan completed a significant couple of years in its sporting history.

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Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was held for the first time in 2017 and is now a regular fixture on the Formula One calendar, the top table of motorsport.

Racing takes place on the Baku Street Circuit which spectacularly winds around the country's capital.

Mexican driver Sergio Pérez is the only man to have won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix twice, in 2021 and 2023.

The 2023 race saw history made as it was the first Grand Prix to introduce a "sprint shootout" for qualifying.

This determined the starting grid for one of six sprints planned for the 2023 Formula One season.