Media Information

Dear Media representatives,

You are hereby invited to  cover the University International Sports Festival Ekaterinburg 2023 (the "Festival").

During the Festival, Media representatives will be provided with a number of services and access to Media Zones at each competition venue (Press Centre, Mixed Zone, Photo Positions, Media Tribune, ENG Platforms, and Media Parking). For more information on the services, their scope and conditions, as well as Media operations at the competition venues, please refer to the Media Guide. We strongly recommend that you read the above mentioned document before planning your work at the Festival.

Key Media Services:

• Media Accreditation

Only accredited Media representatives are allowed to work at the Festival competition venues.

Russian Media with valid registration, freelancers, bloggers with at least 100 thousand subscribers, as well as foreign Media from the participating countries may apply for accreditation.

Detailed information on the accreditation procedure and terms can be found in the Media Accreditation section.

During the Festival, from 19 to 31 August 2023, the Festival accreditation will serve as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation accreditation in the territory of Ekaterinburg and the cultural and historical heritage sites in the Sverdlovsk Region.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to introduce additional Media accreditation rules for high-demand events.

• Visa Support

Accredited Media representatives travelling to Russia from visa countries may apply for a visa without being charged for its issuance on the basis of an invitation. The invitation will be sent to everyone individually.

• Arrival and Departure

From 18 August to 1 September 2023, accredited Media representatives will be provided with a 24/7 arrival and departure service at the official points of arrival and departure (Koltsovo International Airport and Ekaterinburg-Passazhirsky Railway Station). Volunteers and the OC staff will assist with flight and baggage check-in, passport control and customs procedures, baggage claim and lost and damaged baggage.

• Customs Procedures

The Guide to Customs Procedures, the Guide to Importing Professional Media Equipment, and the Guide to Importing Equipment Containing Radio-Electronic Devices (RED) and High-Frequency Devices (HFD) are available at the Festival website. 

Upon receipt of your Festival accreditation letter, please notify the Organising Committee of your intention to bring in professional equipment by emailing mediaservices@ekat2023.com and customs@ekat2023.com.

The letter should include:

— the full name of the accredited person who will be arriving in the Russian Federation for the Festival,
— the equipment to be imported (the name, brand, model, quantity, and cost of each item should be specified),
— the airport in the Russian Federation at which the accredited person will arrive and depart,
— the arrival and departure dates.

Attention! The export of equipment and components for it purchased in the Russian Federation is currently prohibited. Therefore, please ensure that you have all accessories and products related to your professional equipment to avoid purchasing them in the Russian Federation. Otherwise, export of any professional equipment and its accessories/products that were not declared at the time of entry into the country will not be possible.

• Accommodation

During the Festival, accredited Media representatives may stay at the Media Hotel (Green Park Hotel) or choose other accommodation options.

Accredited Media representatives staying at the Media Hotel are provided with special booking rates, shuttle transfer from official points of arrival, and official TM (Transport for Media) shuttle buses between the hotel and the Festival competition venues on competition days. More information about the Media Hotel and accommodation conditions can be found in the Media Guide.

Please send your booking request to mediaservices@ekat2023.com no later than 24 July 2023.

Please note that the hotel has a limited number of rooms available.

• Transportation

From 19 to 31 August 2023, free TM (Transport for Media) shuttle buses will be available to transport accredited Media representatives between the Media Hotel and the competition venues. For more information about the service, see the Media Guide.

The travel and accommodation costs of Media representatives shall be covered by the sending party.