Congress News

The ECCO Congress is evolving in 2027 with an expanded scientific programme designed to offer even more opportunities to learn, exchange ideas and connect with the IBD Community. So, before you finalise your travel arrangements for ECCO’27 in Copenhagen, please note the following key changes.

Epidemiology was once again strongly represented at the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm, with 142 abstracts selected for presentation in this category (see graph). This sustained interest confirms the central role that ECCO Members and IBD researchers attribute to epidemiological research in advancing our understanding of IBD aetiology, natural history and outcomes. In this article, we spotlight two contributions that deserve particular attention: the winner of the Y-ECCO Best Abstract Award and the final report of an epidemiology project supported by an ECCO Research Grant.

The ECCO Postgraduate Course in IBD will take place on Wednesday, March 3 and Thursday, March 4, 2027, immediately ahead of the ECCO Congress in Copenhagen. Building on the success of previous editions, in 2027 the course will undergo its most significant evolution yet, reflecting EduCom's ongoing commitment to the educational needs of the IBD Community.

The 8th ECCO Basic Imaging Workshop, organised in collaboration with ESGAR and IBUS, will take place on Wednesday, March 3, 2027, immediately ahead of the ECCO Congress in Copenhagen. This edition introduces an enhanced practical format designed to provide participants with a solid and clinically relevant foundation in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the assessment and monitoring of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The 21st Congress of ECCO once again showcased the breadth and depth of innovation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), spanning fundamental science, translational research, clinical trials and real-world evidence. The 16 selected Digital Oral Presentations (DOPs) highlighted key advances in precision medicine, novel therapeutics and disease monitoring, reflecting the rapidly evolving landscape of IBD care.

The 8th EpiCom Workshop, held during the recent ECCO Congress in Stockholm, brought together leading experts in IBD epidemiology from across the globe. The workshop addressed two of the most pressing challenges currently facing the field: the rapid global rise in IBD incidence and the persistent inequalities in access to care. Structured into two distinct sessions, each comprising a series of expert presentations and interactive discussions, the workshop offered a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective on the evolving IBD landscape.

Within ECCO, two committees have played a pivotal and complementary role in advancing the scientific understanding and clinical management of IBD: the Epidemiological Committee (EpiCom) and the Clinical Research Committee (ClinCom). As both bodies now merge into the newly established Research Committee (ResCom), this report offers a concise reflection on their key contributions and lasting legacy.

The 24th ECCO IBD Intensive Course for Trainees took place on February 18, 2026, in Stockholm, setting the scene for the ECCO Congress. Just over 100 participants attended, representing four continents, once again highlighting the global reach of the course.

The 13th ECCO Ultrasound Workshop – Advanced, organised in collaboration with ESGAR and IBUS, was held during the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm in February 2026 as part of ECCO’s Educational Programme. The workshop was attended by 179 participants and brought together international experts, fostering valuable discussions on recent advancements in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The 13th ECCO Ultrasound Workshop – Advanced, organised in collaboration with ESGAR and IBUS, was held during the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm in February 2026 as part of ECCO’s Educational Programme. The workshop was attended by 179 participants and brought together international experts, fostering valuable discussions on recent advancements in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The latest ECCO Topical Review provides important, practice-oriented guidance on the increasingly recognised entity of drug-induced colitis (DIC), with a particular focus on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related disease. DIC is described as a heterogeneous condition that can mimic Inflammatory Bowel Disease both clinically and histologically, making diagnosis challenging. Multiple patterns may coexist, ranging from acute and chronic inflammation to microscopic or ischaemic features, none of which are fully specific.

The 11th D-ECCO Workshop took place in Stockholm in February 2026 as part of the ECCO Congress, bringing together dietitians and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals with a shared interest in diet and nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The workshop once again highlighted the growing importance of nutritional science in IBD care, combining evidence-based updates with practical clinical insights and interactive discussion.

The 11th H-ECCO IBD Masterclass was held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 08:00 to 17:15. As a cornerstone of the H-ECCO Committee’s educational initiatives, this masterclass was designed specifically for a multidisciplinary audience of histopathologists and clinicians. The course ensured a high level of professional engagement and shared foundational knowledge among all attendees.

Dear Friends, It was great to see so many familiar faces and to meet so many bright, new and enthusiastic Y-ECCO Members at the recent 21st ECCO Congress in Stockholm.

Now that the inbox calm has (mostly) returned post ECCO, it is time to look back at the 12th Y-ECCO Science Workshop, held on February 18, 2026, just ahead of the main ECCO Congress in Stockholm. The workshop once again proved why it is a fixed highlight of the meeting: generous presentation times, fearless discussions and science that is anything but ‘junior’. Early-career researchers shared the stage with senior experts, creating an open and stimulating atmosphere that encouraged depth, nuance and curiosity.

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Working Group on Microscopic Colitis (MCWG) at the 21st Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) in Stockholm. This represents a significant step forward in strengthening research, collaboration and clinical guidance in this important field of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs).

Johnson & Johnson sponsored two satellite symposia at the 21st Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO 2026). These symposia were predominantly based on practical and engaging patient case studies that showed how guselkumab clinical trial data can be applied in real-world inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care. The goal was to give clinicians actionable, evidence-based guidance for IBD management.

Warm greetings from the ECCO News Team! As we approach the end of 2025, it's time to mark your calendars for what promises to be an exceptional gathering of the IBD community: the 21st Congress of ECCO, taking place February 18-21, 2026 in Stockholm! This year, the ECCO Scientific Programme takes a refreshing turn: rather than narrowing our focus, it widens it. The concept of "holistic IBD care" isn't just another buzzword: it's an acknowledgment that treating IBD successfully means looking beyond single endpoints and isolated interventions. From patient-ce

Dear Friends, It was very nice to see so many familiar faces at the recent UEGW meeting in Berlin, and even better to see so many Y-ECCO Members making important contributions. The days are getting shorter and colder, which can mean only one thing… the ECCO Congress is coming!

The Educational Programme of the 21st Congress of ECCO starts prior to the official start of the ECCO Congress and courses take place from February 18-20, 2026. These activities target ECCO’s different interest groups including young gastroenterologists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, IBD Nurses, dietitians, allied health professionals and scientists...