Warsaw’s trams take centre stage. Europe’s top tram drivers are coming to town

What happens when tram drivers from 26 European cities and Melbourne meet in Warsaw? The tram tracks in the heart of the city turn into an arena for a truly unusual competition.

On 19 September, Plac Centralny will host the 12th European Tram-EM Championship, bringing together two-person teams from cities including London, Vienna, Barcelona, Oslo, Prague, Milan and Kyiv, as well as a team from Melbourne, Australia. Competitors will face challenges testing precision, concentration and speed, the very skills they rely on every day behind the controls of a tram.

There is a good reason why Warsaw is hosting this year’s championship. Tramwaje Warszawskie are celebrating 160 years of tram transport in the capital, making the event part of a much broader celebration. The championship will be accompanied by Public Transport Days, historic tram and bus displays and additional activities in the city centre.

And there is more for those interested in what comes next. As part of the event, the “Mobile Warsaw” conference will bring together transport experts and industry leaders from 16–18 September to discuss the future of urban mobility, changing passenger needs, new regulations and road safety.

So, on 19 September, take another look at Warsaw’s trams. This time, they will not just take you somewhere, they will be part of the show.