Applications for the 2027 title are now open
Date: 05/05/2026
As in the first edition, three cities will be awarded the title, one in each category reflecting population size.
- Vanguard City (5 000 - 50 000 inhabitants)
- Vibrant City (50 000 - 250 000 inhabitants)
- Visionary City (over 250 000 inhabitants)
The competition will unfold in two key stages. First, nine shortlisted cities, three per category, will be selected by a panel of experts and announced in November 2026. These cities will compete for the European Capitals of Small Retail 2027 title. The three winners will be selected following a live pitch in Brussels during the official Award Ceremony event taking place in early 2027.
Importantly, participation is entirely free of charge, ensuring that cities of all sizes can participate.