Global judo returns to Azerbaijan: Baku to host 2026 World Championships

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has officially announced that Azerbaijan will host the 2026 World Judo Championships, with Baku, the nation’s capital, set to welcome the world’s top judoka from October 4 to 11, 2026.

The announcement positions Baku once again as a central hub for the international sports community, reflecting the city’s proven capability to host world-class sporting events, Caliber.Az reports.

Each year, the World Judo Championships bring together elite athletes to compete across fourteen individual weight categories, culminating in the eagerly awaited mixed team day.

Following the 2025 edition held in Budapest, Hungary, another major judo city will now take centre stage. Azerbaijan, a nation renowned for producing world-class judoka, will once again become the capital of world judo in 2026. The last time Baku hosted the event was in September 2018, a tournament still remembered for its exceptional atmosphere and top-level performances.

The world championships stands as the flagship event of the International Judo Federation. They represent the pinnacle of the judo season, offering athletes the chance to earn valuable world ranking points, to test themselves against the very best and secure key positions on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It is, without question, the event of the year not to be missed.

Commenting on the announcement, IJF President Marius Vizer said, “We are very pleased to return to Baku for the 2026 edition of the World Championships. It guarantees an event at the highest level both on the tatami and in its organisation. Azerbaijan has, for many years, demonstrated its sporting excellence, with, for example, two Olympic titles won in Paris 2024, and its outstanding capacity to host major events such as the annual Baku Grand Slam. Once again, the Baku World Championships will be a truly global celebration that will take judo to new heights.”

Azerbaijan Judo Federation President Rashad Nabiyev added, “We are proud and deeply honoured that Baku has once again been chosen to host a World Judo Championships. This event symbolises not only our country’s strong tradition in judo but also our commitment to the values that this sport represents: respect, discipline, and friendship. Hosting the world’s best judoka in Azerbaijan will inspire our youth and strengthen the foundation of our national judo movement further. We look forward to welcoming the global judo family to Baku and ensuring that the 2026 championships leave a lasting legacy for both our athletes and society.”

The World Judo Championships consistently attract large crowds and millions of viewers worldwide through IJF platforms and broadcast coverage, showcasing inspiring athletic stories and celebrating the spirit and values of the sport.

For Azerbaijan, the 2026 edition will not only spotlight elite competition but also serve as a platform to promote judo locally, inspire the next generation, and generate lasting sporting and cultural benefits. Baku 2026 promises to be more than a championship—it will be a celebration of unity, friendship, and the power of sport to foster peace.

By Vafa Guliyeva