The European Judo Championships are set to return to the UK for the first time in 20 years, and will be held in Scotland for the first time in the competition’s 60 year history.

The four-day competition will take place from 9th to 12th April at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, which also played host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in summer of last year.

With fantastic venues, experience of delivering large scale and international events, Glasgow has become a hub for sport. The 2015 European Judo Championships form part of UK Sport’s National Lottery funded major events programme which aims to help athletes with their preparation and qualification for Rio 2016. Tickets are available from www.eurojudo2015.com

British Judo Chairman and former Olympic medallist, Kerrith Brown, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be hosting the European Judo Championships here in the UK. Following the huge success of the Commonwealth games held here in Glasgow, it’s great to see world class judo returning to the city.

We’re looking forward to seeing our British Judo team supported over the four days of competition and we know from the Commonwealth Games that there is a real appetite for spectating at large scale judo events like this in Glasgow. Would urge our British sports fans to make the most of this opportunity to cheer on our British Judo team on the road to Rio 2016.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for major event and following the success of the Commonwealth Games and the European Open last year it is hugely exciting to welcome the European Judo Championships to Glasgow this year. It is the first of five major World and European Championships we will host in 2015, and it will provide yet another platform for our top athletes to perform.”

Simon Morton, Director of Major Events and International Relations at UK Sport, said: “The welcome return of the European Judo Championships to the UK will give thousands of people the opportunity to witness world class sport first hand and also makes excellent use of a Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games venue.

“There is also a crucial performance element to UK Sport’s bidding and hosting strategy as we know our athletes thrive on competing in a home environment and these championships can play a key role in their preparations on the road to Rio 2016.

“The UK has built a global reputation for staging outstanding major sporting events thanks to a compelling mix of world class facilities, great infrastructure, technical know-how and passionate and knowledgeable fans.”

Also at the event in Glasgow were UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, who continue to support a number of combat sports through their association with the British Combat sports Federation.

David Allen, Senior Vice President and general Manager at UFC, said: “UFC is thrilled to support the European Judo Championships through the British Combat Sports Federation. MMA is made up of a number of different combat sports and UFC feel it is important to see individual disciplines thrive as well as promoting mixed martial arts. The European Judo Championships will be a fantastic platform for fans and practitioners to see world-class sport in a great city.”