Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has been chosen to be the venue for next year's World Judo Championships, which will take place from 4 to 11 October, 2026.
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 such as Olympic Champions Hidayat Heydarov and Zelym Kotsoiev, will once again become the capital of world judo in 2026.
The last time Baku hosted the event was in 2018, a tournament still remembered for its exceptional atmosphere and top-level performances.
The World Championships stand 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.
Blog posts
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has been chosen to be the venue for next year's World Judo Championships, which will take place from 4 to 11 October, 2026.
World Junior Championships: Team USA Overview
The World Junior Championships were held in Lima earlier this month. The USA fielded 17 players and managed to secure a bronze medal.
Kaju continues her winning streak in Guadalajara
It used to be that the -57kg division was the most exciting female category but at the Guadalajara Grand Prix it was clearly the -63kg division was the most thrilling to watch, with top athletes in...