2026 FISU World University Championship Beach Sports presented at the Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market 2026

The presentation put Figueira da Foz back on the map of major international events. The World University Beach Sports Championship, which will take place in September 2026, promises to bring hundreds of young athletes to the region and consolidate the municipality as a leading destination for sports and tourism.

Between September 17 and 22, 2026, Buarcos Beach will host the 2026 FISU World University Beach Sports Championship, a competition that will bring together more than 700 participants from various countries.

The organization is the result of a partnership between FADU Portugal University Sports, the University of Coimbra, and the Academic Association of Coimbra, with the support of the Municipality of Figueira da Foz.

During its presence at the Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market (BTL), the event was promoted at the municipality’s stand, where local officials emphasized the strategic importance of the competition for the territory. In addition to the sporting impact, the arrival of international delegations and visitors represents an opportunity to boost tourism and the economy, reinforcing the visibility of Figueira da Foz as a destination of excellence.

During the presentation at BTL, Manuel Domingues, Councilor of the Municipality of Figueira da Foz, and Tomás Nascimento, 1st Vice-President of FADU Portugal, highlighted the strategic relevance of the event for the region, emphasizing the sporting, tourist, and economic impact associated with the presence of hundreds of student-athletes, technical teams, and international delegations.

The competition will feature some of the main beach sports, soccer, handball, and volleyball, in both the men’s and women’s categories, providing moments of high-level competition. The big news will be the debut of Beach Wrestling, a sport that combines spectacle and innovation and promises to capture the public’s attention.

With this commitment, Portugal reinforces its position as a stage for world-class university sporting events, promoting youth values, cultural exchange, and organizational excellence.

The countdown has already begun for an event that promises to elevate Figueira da Foz to a true epicenter of beach sports in 2026.