The Capitals are selected on the basis of a cultural programme that must have a European dimension, involve the public, be attractive at the European level and fit into the long-term development of the city.
Pealinnade valiku aluseks on kultuuriprogramm, millel peab olema Euroopa mõõde, mis kaasab avalikkust, on atraktiivne ka Euroopa tasandil ning sobib kokku linna pikaajalise arengukavaga.