This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Santorini Experience, a fixture that has earned its place in the country’s and the world’s sport tourism scene. Counting down now, the event returns from October 9 to 12, 2025, and Santorini is already living to the rhythm of sports and wellness. Over these four days, athletes, professionals, and amateurs from every corner of the world will gather on the island to share the joy of participation, test their limits, and enjoy the unique energy that defines the Santorini Experience.
The Olympic sport of Flag Football makes its debut in Greece
The Los Angeles Chargers inaugurate a new era for American football in Greece by presenting their first NFL Flag Football Event in parallel with the Santorini Experience. The three?day program includes camps for children ages 11–13 and teens 13+, through which young participants will have the chance to learn the basic principles of flag football and test their skills. Meanwhile, the public will enjoy a spectacular exhibition game featuring former and active NFL players, such as former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, Greek?American former NFL linebacker and Super Bowl XLII participant Niko Koutouvides, Greek?Swedish?American player and coach Melina Malaxos, members of Aegean Elite (an American Football team in Greece), and coaching staff from the Los Angeles Chargers, offering unique experiences to both young and older fans. The experience will conclude with a special watch party, where guests will watch live the game between the Chargers and the Dolphins. This initiative is part of the effort to strengthen flag football globally, with the ultimate goal of including it in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The introduction of American football in Greece is carried out with the active support of Stoiximan, which through its social engagement supports the event and the island as a Silver Sponsor, promoting amateur sports, Santorini tourism, and the promotion of healthy role models in sports.
With the support of the Municipality of Thira, the event promotes not only sport but also friendly relations between Greece and the United States, strengthening cultural exchange and international cooperation.
Santorini Experience “Sunset Party”
The event will host DJ Vassili Tsili Christo, promising an immersive musical experience set against Santorini’s unique sunset backdrop. For the first time on the island’s caldera, the legendary and internationally acclaimed DJ Vassili Tsili Christo will enchant with his energy and music, accompanied by the striking live performance of Angela ‘S’. The event will take place outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Fira on Saturday, October 11, at 18:00, at the island’s most magical hour, “the golden hour of Santorini’s sunset.” Entry is free, offering locals and visitors an unforgettable experience. Supporters of the event include AESTIAN Philoxenia & Hospitality, the Municipal Community of Thira, Rizes Gastro Taverna, and, of course, the organizing body itself.
Running and Swimming with the caldera as a backdrop
The event’s program includes three scenic trail routes:
5?km “Aristidis Alafouzos” powered by Miele
10?km powered by SIXT (a member of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group)
15?km powered by The North Face
These routes cross through Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani. Top athletes from The North Face are expected to participate, such as the first Greek finisher of this year’s Spartathlon, Georgios Dimoulas, and ultramarathoners Alexandros Tzoumakas and Nikoleta Zavara. A highlight is the open water swimming race of 1.5 miles (2.4?km) from the volcano to the old port of Fira, designed with high safety standards. Participants will enjoy unique amenities such as free cable car use, while residents of Thira participate for free—this is an event that reinforces the local community and features parallel activities and experiences for all.
All competitions at Santorini Experience 2025 are covered medically and supported by Health Spot, ensuring absolute safety and support for every participant.
Pickup of race kits and participation numbers
Thursday, October 9: Participants may collect their race kit at Alafouzos Sport in Fira between 10:00 and 20:00.
Friday, October 10: The race secretariat at the Old Port of Fira will be open 08:30–09:30 for swim number collection, and from 10:00 to 20:00 the race kit will be available at Alafouzos Sport for running participants.
Saturday, October 11: The race secretariat at the Desalination Plant in Oia opens at 07:30 for number and kit collection for running.
You can still register here:
https://www.more.com/sports/santorini-experience-2025/
Basketball lessons with Evina Maltsi and Joe Arlauckas
For the first time at Santorini Experience, two prominent sports figures—Olympian and EuroBasket MVP Evina Maltsi, and EuroLeague legend and European champion with Real Madrid Joe Arlauckas—will be in Santorini with the goal of bringing young people closer to the world of basketball. On Sunday, October 12, at the Santorini Indoor Gymnasium, a Basketball Clinic powered by Trace ‘n Chase will take place, where children – athletes from local clubs, the Santorini Sports Union (A.E.S.), and Poseidon Santorini – will have the opportunity to meet the international stars up close and delve into the “secrets” of basketball.
Hiking to Ancient Thira
As part of Santorini Experience and with the support of Sandblu Resort (a Bronze Sponsor), participants will have the opportunity to follow a beautiful hiking route to Ancient Thira, through pathways that embrace nature and offer enchanting views of the Aegean. A journey through time where history meets the rugged beauty of the landscape.
Katsouranis, Papanikolaou, Houndras speak and inspire the new generation
Within the youth education program of the Municipality of Thira, Santorini Experience 2025 includes keynote speeches by esteemed athletes and professionals. European champion and European Legend 2004, Kostas Katsouranis, will visit Santorini’s football teams—Thyella Kamariou, A.O. Pyrgos, and Panthiraikos—motivating the younger generation through his talks. Olympian and European basketball champion and ambassador of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group, Dimitris Papanikolaou, will share his experiences and athletic values on inclusion. Thanasis Houndras, a motorsports coach, supported by the MOTODYNAMIKI Group, will visit schools in the Municipality of Thira to inform students about road safety. Kostas Xiradakis, Chief Commercial Officer at Snappi, and Ioanna Tsekoura, Head of Customer Experience at Snappi, will assist in the financial education of youth in collaboration with the Institute of Financial Literacy through the campaign “What The Finance.”
Finally, Panagiotis Panoutsos Talkovski, Founder and CEO of EAGLE Sports Integrity Services, will present on the issue of sports integrity, promoting the values of fairness and ethics in sport.
In parallel, the collaboration of the event with EAGLE Sports Integrity Services makes Santorini Experience the first recreation sports event in Greece to feature a full integrity system. The company will bear overall responsibility for supervising sports integrity, and in cases of violations, an independent Disciplinary Committee will assess incidents and impose any sanctions.
Additional information & offers
See the full event program and live the full magic:
https://santorini-experience.com/programma-2025/
See the bus schedule for easier transport during the event days:
https://santorini-experience.com/dromologia-leoforeion/
Awards with Santorini flair by Spira Marble Art Gallery
Spira Marble Art Gallery and marble sculptor Grigoris Kouskouris, operating in Santorini, will craft, inspired by the volcanic element of the island, honorary marble trophies to be awarded to prominent individuals who contribute significantly to the promotion of athletics, tourism, culture, and the local community in the context of Santorini Experience 2025. Through this initiative, the event seeks to highlight models of dedication and service, honoring people whose work and vision inspire and leave a positive mark. These awards are a special moment for the event, reinforcing its character as a celebration of values and collaboration.
Refreshment, discounts & partnerships
Official Water of Santorini Experience 2025 is VIKOS Natural Mineral Water, offering participants refreshment and hydration throughout the event.
SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMIKI Group, participates as Premium Mobility Partner, offering discounts on its fully renewed premium fleet for bookings made during the event, with rental period through October 15.
SKY express is the official airline sponsor for the second consecutive year, supporting one of the largest sports events of the year and contributing to the local community via actions that promote development, sports, and tourism in Santorini.
Blue Star Ferries offers a 30?% discount on ferry tickets (all classes except cabins) and 30?% off vehicles for travelers to Santorini between October 5 and 15, 2025. Each registered participant may extend the same offer to three companions.
Participants who have completed registration can contact:
Piraeus: Gelasakis Shipping & Travel Center, tel. 210?4222440
Santorini: Dakoutros Travel, tel. 22860 22201
Restaurant Discounts: Participants get 10?% off at Rizes restaurant (Cycladic cuisine in Fira) and 10?% off at Marilyn Bar, the island’s popular cocktail bar.
Accommodation Partners: A number of hotels are offering special rates during the event days.
The event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Greek National Tourism Organization.
Co?organizers: Municipality of Thira, the Municipality of Thira’s Sports & Culture Department, and ActiveMedia Group.
Official Hashtag:?#SantoriniExperience
Website: www.santorini-experience.com
Socials: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok
