Portugal chosen to host the World University Beach Sports Championships in 2026

The first details about the event coming to Praia do Relógio were presented this Thursday at the Figueira da Foz City Hall. Ricardo Nora, president of FADU Portugal, speaks of a “vote of confidence” on the part of FISU.

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) has awarded Portugal, through the Academic Federation of University Sports (FADU Portugal), the organization of the World University Beach Sports Championships, which will take place in Figueira da Foz in 2026.

This decision reflects international recognition of Portugal’s organizational excellence in major sporting events and “FADU Portugal’s commitment to the development of university sports,” says Ricardo Nora.

For the president of FADU Portugal, the awarding of this event is “proof of confidence in the organizational potential of Portuguese university sports and its ability to generate a positive impact at the sporting, academic, and cultural levels,” said the leader.

After the 2024 edition in Rio de Janeiro, the event comes to Portugal under the organization of FADU Portugal, the Academic Association of Coimbra, and the University of Coimbra, with the support of the Figueira da Foz City Council. The press conference was attended by the president of FADU Portugal, Ricardo Nora, the president of the Academic Association of Coimbra, Carlos Magalhães, the rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, and the mayor of Figueira da Foz, Pedro Santana Lopes.

More than 700 participants from 34 countries are expected to take part in 12 days of competition in five sports: handball, soccer, rugby, volleyball, and wrestling. In addition, the inclusion of Beach Ultimate Tennis as an exhibition sport was announced.

You can follow all the information on this topic on FADU Portugal’s social media and at www.fadu.pt.