Previous post
UEFA Europa League
About the UEFA Europa League The UEFA Europa League (UEL, the UEFA Cup) is an international annual football competition. It…
03.09.2025
Publication date: 3 September 2025
The Canoeing World Championships are the premier international competition for flatwater kayak and canoe racing, organized by the International Canoe Federation (ICF). The first men’s event took place in 1938, while the women’s event began in 1954. Since then, the championships have become a cornerstone of the global rowing calendar, determining the strongest athletes and allocating Olympic licences.
Find more details on the official ICF website.
2026 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
In 2026, the championship will take place from August 26 to 30 in Poznań, Poland. The main venue will be Lake Malta, renowned as one of Europe’s finest regatta courses and a host of past World and European Championships. The tournament is expected to bring together around 1,000 athletes from over 60 countries.
The program will feature kayak and canoe races ranging from 200 to 5000 meters, along with paracanoe events.
Participants and Favorites
The world’s strongest national teams will line up at the start:
-
Hungary – a dominant force in recent medal tables, especially in women’s disciplines.
-
Germany – a traditionally strong team with leaders in both canoe and kayak.
-
New Zealand – sprint powerhouse led by Lisa Carrington.
-
Canada and China – consistent medal contenders in sprint and double races.
Among the stars, fans can expect to see reigning Olympic champions and medalists such as Lisa Carrington (New Zealand), Sebastian Brendel (Germany), Sándor Tótka (Hungary), and other world-class athletes.
Tournament History ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The first World Championships took place in Vaxholm, Sweden, in 1938. They have been held almost annually ever since, except for wartime periods and certain Olympic seasons when titles were jointly awarded. Speaking about women’s events, they were introduced in 1954. Today, the tournament combines sprint, paracanoe, and occasionally marathon races on separate days.
Tournament Winners Over the Past Three Years
| Year | Venue | Medal Count Leader |
| 2025 | Italy | Hungary |
| 2024 | Uzbekistan | Czechia |
| 2023 | Germany | Hungary |
| 2022 | Canada | Germany |
2027 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The venue for the 2027 Canoeing Sprint World Championships has not yet been announced by ICF. Meanwhile, further information is expected near the end of 2026.
Follow the latest dates of water sports tournaments and other events in our Sports events calendar.
Did you like the article?
Share it with your friends via favorite social media
