News
China to Host the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships
Date: January 23, 2025
Category: Goalball
After Portugal 2022, the world’s top goalball athletes will head to China in 2026. Out of three bids, China was awarded the hosting rights by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee.
This marks the first time the World Championships will be held in Asia. Although China was originally set to host the event in 2022, it had to be reassigned due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. The tournament will also be the first to take place outside Europe since 2006.
The head of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Mr. Lu Cailiang, stated: “We are very proud that this incredible event will be held in China, allowing us to represent the Asian continent as hosts for the first time.”
IBSA Goalball Sport Director Janice Dawson added: “We are delighted to announce that NPC China will host the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships for the first time. The event, set to take place at the China Goalball Training Centre in Hangzhou, represents an exciting milestone for the sport. We are confident that NPC China will deliver a world-class Championships and showcase their dedication to advancing goalball on the global stage.”
The event will take place in Hangzhou from June 6th to 16th. The Sport Committee would also like to thank Germany and Poland for their applications and the interest they have shown.