The World Karate Federation (WKF) has officially released its 2026 International Competition Calendar, confirming a packed and ambitious global season that reflects karate’s continued growth and worldwide momentum.
Following a historic 2025 marked by record participation, expanded youth pathways, and strong international visibility, the 2026 calendar is expected to build further on karate’s global development, offering consistent, high-level competition across all continents and age groups.
A Full-Scale Global Season
The WKF’s 2026 programme delivers a comprehensive structure for elite athletes, rising talents, national federations, coaches, and fans, ensuring competitive continuity throughout the year.
Key highlights of the 2026 calendar include:
- 4 Karate One – Premier League events, featuring the world’s top-ranked athletes
- 4 Karate One – Series A events, providing vital ranking opportunities
- 6 Karate One – Youth League events, reinforcing the WKF’s commitment to youth development
- Major Continental Championships across all confederations
- Flagship multi-sport events and championship tournaments
These events form the backbone of the WKF competition pathway, supporting athlete progression from grassroots to elite international level.
Major WKF Events Confirmed for 2026
Karate One & Championship Highlights
- Karate One – Series A
- Tbilisi (Georgia) – Jan 9–11
- A Coruña (Spain) – Apr 24–26
- Guadalajara (Mexico) – Jul 16–20
- Salzburg (Austria) – Oct 2–4
- Karate One – Premier League
- Istanbul (Türkiye) – Jan 23–25
- Rome (Italy) – Mar 13–15
- Rabat (Morocco) – Jun 12–14
Youth Development Focus
- Karate One – Youth League
- Fujairah (UAE) – Feb 12–15
- Harare (Zimbabwe) – Mar 26–29
- Manila (Philippines) – May 14–17
- Porec (Croatia) – Jul 2–5
- Guadalajara (Mexico) – Sep 17–21
- Venice (Italy) – Dec 10–13
- WKF Youth Camp
- Jul 29 – Aug 1
Continental & Multi-Sport Championships
- EKF Senior Championships – Frankfurt (Germany), May 20–24
- PKF Senior Championships – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), May 28–Jun 1
- OKF Senior Championships – Auckland (New Zealand), May 28–Jun 1
- AKF Senior Championships – Bali (Indonesia), Jun 19–21
- Mediterranean Championships – Jun 16–21
Flagship Global Events
- World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships
- Bielsko-Biała (Poland) – Oct 14–18
- Youth Olympic Games (Karate)
- Dakar, Senegal – Oct 31–Nov 13
- Commonwealth Karate Championships
- Nov 5–6
A Historic Finale: Karate World Cup 2026
The 2026 season will conclude with one of the most significant events in modern karate history — the Karate World Cup, scheduled for November 20–22.
Bringing together the world’s top national teams, the Karate World Cup will serve as a powerful finale to a year defined by competition, unity, and international excellence.
A Strong Future for Global Karate
With a clear vision, structured pathways, and a truly global footprint, the WKF’s 2026 International Competition Calendar confirms another landmark year for karate. From youth development to elite competition, the calendar reflects the sport’s growing relevance and its continued evolution on the world stage.
Full official WKF calendar:
https://www.wkf.net/calendar
