Szeged to host 2026 FISU World University Championships Canoe Sports in August

Szeged will host the 2026 FISU World University Championships Canoe Sports from Aug. 17 to 20 at the Maty-ér Regatta Course, one of the world’s leading venues for canoe sprint competition.

Organizers announced details of the event at a press conference held at the University of Szeged. The championships were moved to Szeged after persistently low water levels at Lake Velence made it necessary to relocate the competition.

Lajos Mocsai, president of the Hungarian University Sports Federation, said the city was chosen because of its extensive experience hosting major international sporting events and the world-class facilities available at the Maty-ér Regatta Course.

According to organizers, 26 countries have already confirmed participation, and a record number of competitors is expected.

Gábor Schmidt, president of the Hungarian Canoe Federation, said the relationship between the sport and Szeged has grown increasingly strong over the years. He described the Maty-ér Regatta Course as one of the world’s premier canoe sprint venues and expressed confidence that the city will once again deliver a successful international competition.

Representatives of the University of Szeged emphasized the significance of the championships for both the university and the city. Prof. Dr. Ildikó Csóka, the university’s strategic director general, noted that Szeged hosts around 25,000 students each academic year and said the arrival of university athletes from around the world will bring additional energy to the city during the summer season.

Csóka also highlighted athletes connected to the university, including Olympic champions Attila Vajda and Anna Kárász, as well as current student Bence Nádas, as examples of how elite sporting achievement can be successfully combined with higher education.

Dr. Judit Fendler, chancellor of the University of Szeged, said it is an honor for the institution to contribute to hosting the championships and expressed confidence that the event will be organized to a high standard.

Hungary most recently hosted a university canoe championships event in 2018 in Szolnok, where the Hungarian team won 20 medals, including 11 golds.

Featured image for illustration purposes only. Photo: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify file.