Key takeaways:

  • ESC Congress 2026 takes place in Munich and online from 28-31 August 2026, with the press programme starting on 27 August.
  • Explore the #ESCCongress press resources, now available online.
  • Accredited journalists can attend seven press conferences featuring landmark clinical trials and new ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines.


Sophia Antipolis, 19 August 2026: Next week, the global cardiology community will gather in Munich and online for ESC Congress 2026, the world's largest and most influential cardiovascular congress. With a record number of late-breaking clinical trial submissions, this year's meeting will showcase major scientific advances, including the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiovascular care. 


Organised by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the congress will bring together more than 30,000 clinicians, researchers and journalists from over 150 countries. 


The press programme begins on Thursday, 27 August, with daily press conferences running through 30 August.


Press Highlights

  • Six themed Hot Line press conferences featuring practice-changing clinical trials addressing some of the most important questions in cardiovascular medicine.
  • A dedicated press Q&A session on the new ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines and 5th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction will take place on Friday, 28 August. Journalists will have the opportunity to interview the guideline task force chairs behind these influential recommendations.
  • Five embargoed press releases will highlight findings from the extensive abstract programme, covering topics ranging from artificial intelligence to xylitol.
  • Multiple Hot Line press releases and visual summaries covering the congress's most important science will be available under embargo.
  • A curated programme on hot topics, from obesity and nutrition to dementia and the environment. 


Exclusive Zone for Accredited Press


Accredited journalists can access embargoed materials and attend all press activities either in person or remotely. In Munich, the press area also offers workspaces, press conference facilities, interview rooms, and a cafeteria.


The Exclusive Zone is now open to accredited journalists, with new embargoed materials being added in the lead-up to the congress. The registration link for the online press conferences is also available there.


Professor Felix Mahfoud, Chair of the ESC Communication Committee, said:


"ESC Congress 2026 is the place to witness how innovation is transforming medicine and patient care in real time. We invite journalists to share these advances and help raise awareness of the latest strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease."