On 24 September 2025, the chairperson of the European Capitals of Culture Expert Panel announced that Leuven has been recommended to become the European Capital of Culture 2030 in Belgium.
Nestled in a green region neighbouring Brussels, the city of Leuven has 104 000 inhabitants and over 60 000 students. It has developed its candidacy under the theme LOV2030 – human nature, with a will to include the whole surrounding region and building new connections.
Belgium will host a European Capital of Culture for the fifth time, after Antwerp in 1993, Brussels in 2000, Bruges in 2002, and Mons in 2015.
The selection process for the European Capitals of Culture title consists of two rounds: a shortlist of candidate cities is compiled during the pre-selection, followed by a final selection, about nine months later. The chosen city is then formally designated by the country concerned.
A panel of 12 independent experts assess the applications. National authorities appoint two members and EU institutions and bodies (European Parliament, Council, Commission and Committee of the Regions) appoint the remaining ten.
Candidate cities must present a cultural programme with a strong European dimension, involve local communities, attract visitors from across Europe, and show both lasting impact and the capacity to deliver.
For the 2030 title in Belgium, six cities applied by 2 September 2024: Bruges, Ghent, Kortrijk, Leuven, Molenbeek and Namur, of which three candidate cites were shortlisted at the pre-selection meeting in Brussels on 21–24 October 2024.
In 2030 there will also be a European Capital of Culture in Cyprus and another one in an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential candidate for EU membership, with pre-selection rounds scheduled for October and December 2025.