The European Team Championship is an international team chess event, eligible for the participation of European nations whose chess federations are located in zones 1.1 to 1.9. This more or less accords with the wider definition of Europe used in other events such as the Eurovision Song Contest and includes Israel, Russia and the former Soviet States. The competition is run under the auspices of the European Chess Union (ECU).

Kapfenberg, with 22,182 inhabitants in 2023, is the third largest city in Styria, Austria, and lies in the valley of the Mürz near the town of Bruck an der Mur. The town's landmark is Burg Oberkapfenberg. Every year in June, the Ritterfest takes place at the castle, which is one of the largest events of its kind in Austria.