Basel is set to host several prominent events and initiatives. The European Skateboard Championships (ESC) return to Basel for the weekend at Kunsti Margarethen, featuring Europe's top skateboarders in urban obstacle courses, with a theme inspired by music, though music plays a secondary role this year. The event, revived thanks to scene veteran Oli Bürgin, highlights Basel's vibrant skateboarding scene and its role in urban culture. Bürgin, a former European and World Halfpipe champion, has significantly influenced local skatepark development, including the Purple Park and Port Land Skatepark, and organized major events like those for Red Bull. Meanwhile, Basel's Convention Bureau, part of Basel Tourism, has strengthened its international networking by appointing three new esteemed professors—Prof. Dr. Felix Mahfoud, Prof. Dr. Marios Psychogios, and Prof. Dr. Florian M. Thieringer—who join a group of 13 renowned scientists. Over the past year, Basel secured 30 new congress applications, including major international events like ECIO 2026 (Oncology), EuroCTO 2026, and the ESC Digital & AI Summit 2026 (Cardiology). Notably, Basel was awarded the ESH Congress 2027, expected to attract 2,000 participants, facilitated by collaborations with the University Hospital Basel and Swiss Society of Hypertension. The city hosts around 15 international congresses annually, bringing approximately 15,000 visitors, bolstering the local economy and its reputation as a hub for science and conferences. Additionally, Basel celebrates the reopening of the traffic playground after complete renovation and ecological upgrades, with a planned opening event on August 27 featuring speeches, performances, and activities for children. The city continues to develop its infrastructure, including new parking policies and housing projects, alongside cultural events like the Winterthur Casinotheater's fall premieres and ongoing urban development projects.