The 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup will be held in Bazhong, Sichuan province, from May 20 to 24, attracting nearly 400 athletes from more than 20 countries and regions, the organizing committee announced on Friday.

The ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup, organized by the International Canoe Federation, is a top-tier international Class A water sports event. This event marks the third time it is held in China and the first time in Bazhong, according to a news conference held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan.

The Bazhong event will be held at the Bacheng section of the Bahe River in the city's Bazhou district. Athletes will check in on May 20, train on May 21 and 22, and compete from May 23 to 24.

Li Qingguo, director of the Sichuan Water Sports Management Center, said the event will feature two categories: the professional group for athletes from around the world and the open group for amateurs.

Athletes in the professional group will compete in three disciplines — junior, senior, and mixed relay, while amateurs will compete in four individual races at distances of 3.4 kilometers, 10km, 16km, and 19km.

Wang Meng, head of the development department at the Chinese Canoe Association, said the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup places high demands on the host city in terms of natural conditions, water environment, event-hosting capability, and overall urban support systems.

The Bahe River's 19-km stretch of calm, straight waters makes it an ideal natural still-water venue for this year's event, Wang said.

He added that Bazhong has hosted a number of national-level water sports events in recent years, including the China Canoe Marathon Open and the China Dragon Boat Competition, demonstrating its capacity to host international competitions.