Over 600 scientists gathered at the Open Symposium in Venice, Italy, to discuss the future direction of European particle physics in a global context. When assessing scientific priorities, the main topic of discussion was the possible successor to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, which will reach the end of its operational lifetime in 2041. The Open Symposium was part of the process of updating the European Strategy for Particle Physics (ESPP).
The strategy recommendations, which reflect the ambitions and priorities of the community, are expected to be submitted to the CERN Council in early 2026. Projects are approved by the Council in a separate decision-making process, taking into account the Strategy's recommendations and other considerations.
The highest priority is the electron-positron "Higgs boson factory"
The previous update of the strategy in 2020 emphasized the importance of ensuring Europe's continued leadership in science and technology. Following the discovery of the Higgs boson in experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, it recommended the electron-positron "Higgs boson factory" as the next facility with the highest priority and further recommended that Europe should have a long-term ambition to operate a proton-proton collider with the highest achievable energies.
"The achievements of the global CERN user community in implementing the 2020 strategy update prove that we are a strong community capable of designing, building, and operating facilities of astonishing complexity that consistently exceed expectations. This is our greatest asset as we prepare for even more ambitious projects," said Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of CERN, adding: "The time has come for us to work with our global partners to create a bright future for our field in Europe."
CERN as a leading global centre
The symposium offered a number of presentations on all aspects of particle physics. Participants from almost 40 countries, including many early-career scientists, expressed the need for an ambitious and innovative research program that will maintain CERN's position as the world's leading centre for accelerator physics.
The Open Symposium was attended by Rupert Leitner, the Czech Republic's representative in the Strategy (ESG) negotiations, and Zdeněk Hubáček, the Czech representative on the European Committee for Future Accelerators (ECFA).
"The symposium is not just about presentations, but also about thinking together about the future of elementary particle physics. Everyone can contribute and move the common concept forward. The final vision of the European particle community will emerge from over 260 submissions," explains Zdeněk Hubáček from the Czech Technical University in Prague.
The main objective of the ESPP 2026 update is to identify the most promising flagship project among particle accelerators to replace the LHC at CERN. In direct response to the previous 2020 strategy, a feasibility study was conducted for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) with a circumference of 91 km, which could initially be an electron-positron accelerator and subsequently a proton-proton accelerator in the same tunnel. The feasibility report was published in March this year.
In addition to the FCC, a linear electron-positron accelerator at CERN and smaller accelerators that would reuse the LHC tunnel are also being considered within the relevant time frame. Significant progress has also been made towards a muon accelerator, but its feasibility to be demonstrated will require several decades of research and development work.
Support for the FCC
Support for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) program, given its outstanding scientific potential and long-term strategic value, was reflected in contributions from physicists from all 25 CERN member states. This position is also confirmed by Professor Rupert Leitner of Charles University: "At the meeting on the European Strategy for Particle Physics in Venice, there was clear support for the new circular accelerator project at CERN, backed by reports from scientific groups and input from the physics communities of CERN member and non-member countries. This is in line with the conclusions reached by Czech particle scientists. The final Strategy document will be presented to the CERN Council in the spring of next year." The final decision on the next research facility will be taken by the CERN Council in 2028.
There are still several important steps to be taken before the ESPP recommendations are finalized. The ESPP expert panels are working on a comparative assessment of the proposed future colliders in terms of their physical potential, environmental impact and sustainability, technical sophistication, costs, human resources requirements, and implementation timetable.
"I am happy to see that the recommendations of the 2020 ESPP update and their implementation via the FCC Feasibility Study enjoy overwhelming support from the vast majority of the high-energy physics community as well as leading experts," said Costas Fountas, President of the CERN Council. "The discovery of the Higgs boson at the LHC in 2012 marked the start of a new journey of discovery that can only be realised by a future collider with the broadest and most powerful research programme, and the CERN Council eagerly awaits the community’s final recommendations."
"I am pleased to see so many colleagues from Europe and beyond participating actively in debating the scientific input received from the particle physics community in order to define the next large accelerator project that will allow CERN and Europe to maintain their leading role in our field," said Karl Jakobs, Strategy Secretary. "In addition, the scientific goals and priorities in other areas of physics were discussed. We anticipate further rich input and discussion as the 2026 ESPP update enters its final strait."