Supporting the England Deaf Women's Team at the 2026 European Championships
Travel Places was pleased to support the England Deaf Women's national team with travel planning and logistics for the 2026 European Championships in Croatia. From complex international routing to accommodation, we delivered end-to-end travel management designed to enable the team to focus fully on preparation and performance, and compete with confidence.
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European title won!
Travel Places was engaged to manage all the travel and accommodation requirements for the England Deaf Women’s team competing at the 2026 European Championships, the brief was clear: deliver end‑to‑end travel and accommodation planning that would allow the squad to focus entirely on performance.
The Championship took place from 5–22 March 2026 in Novigrad, Croatia, with Travel Places responsible for managing all flights, accommodation, ground transport and on‑the‑ground logistics for the duration of the tournament. With extensive experience supporting national governing bodies and elite sports teams, our team understands the expectations, standards and duty of care required when supporting elite athletes, particularly within para and deaf sport.
Managing Complex Travel to a Remote Destination
Hosting international teams, Novigrad presents logistical challenges, particularly outside the peak tourist season. Limited direct flight options and reduced airport schedules required careful route planning.
After extensive route analysis, we identified Trieste Airport in Italy as the most suitable entry point, allowing the team to fly directly from London Stansted while keeping ground transfer times to a reasonable level. Although this route required travelling through Slovenia en route to Croatia, the overall journey time was kept to just 90 minutes by road.
To ensure reliability and comfort, a private coach service was arranged with a trusted local supplier we have previously worked with. In addition to airport transfers, we coordinated daily transport to training sessions and match venues, alongside local car hire to support their team operations.
Our team also provided airport departure support at Stansted, ensuring group check‑in ran smoothly.
Securing the Right Accommodation for Performance
Accommodation was a critical factor in ensuring the team could rest, recover and prepare effectively. While the tournament organisers had proposed a shared hotel for multiple competing teams, the decision was taken to secure exclusive use accommodation where players could rest, recover and prepare without distraction.
This requirement presented its own challenges, as many properties in the Novigrad area do not open until later in the tourist season. Following comprehensive research, we identified the Aminess Vival Maestral Hotel, an independent property whose team were enthusiastic about supporting the squad and flexible in accommodating their needs.
We coordinated a pre-event site visit, enabling us to confirm suitability and assess the operational setup in person. The facilities, staff, catering provision and location exceeded expectations, with the added benefit of close proximity to both the training ground and match venue.
Throughout the stay, we coordinated specialist requirements including a kit room, medical room, private meeting spaces, dedicated dining areas, as well as practical operational details such as tailored menus, laundry schedules and ice supply, ensuring the environment fully supported elite performance.
Seeing the team go on to win the European Championship made all the work behind the scenes incredibly worthwhile and reinforced just how important well‑delivered logistics are to success at elite level.
Alex Blake, Senior Events Consultant - Travel Places
A Championship Outcome
The tournament concluded with the England Deaf Women’s team crowned European champions - a hugely rewarding outcome for everyone involved.
While success is ultimately decided on the pitch, the role of reliable, well‑executed logistics is critical in enabling teams to perform at their best.
Why Experience in Deaf and Para Sports Travel Matters
Accessibility and inclusion are embedded in how we work. With extensive experience supporting teams attending The Paralympics and Deaflympics, as well as working with England Deaf Cricket and other disability sports teams, we understand that success often depends on getting the details right away from the field of play.
From complex routing and specialist accommodation requirements to ground transport planning and on‑site support, we deliver travel solutions that allow athletes and staff to focus on performance – confident that logistics are in safe hands.
Planning an Upcoming Competition or Tour?
If you’re organising travel for a sports team or delegation, we’d be delighted to help. Get in touch to discuss how we can support your team with reliable, accessible and performance‑focused travel solutions.