2026
ICF JUNIOR & U23
CANOE SLALOM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
30th June – 5th
July 2026
Krakow, Poland
2026 ICF Junior & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships
From 30 June to 5 July 2026, Kraków will welcome the world’s most talented young paddlers for the 2026 ICF Junior & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships. Held at the renowned Kraków-Kolna Canoe Slalom Course, this prestigious event will bring together athletes from across the globe to compete at the highest international level.
Welcome letter
President of Polish Canoe Federation
Is the President of Polish Canoe Federation I am proud that International Canoe Federation entrust the organization
of the most important event for Junior and U-23 to Poland again.
After 3 years ICF Junior& U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships
again takes place in Krakow on Kolna Regatta Course.
On this course every year we are organizing
the most important events.
I am convinced that in 2026 the organizers:
Polish Canoe Federation and Krakow Canoe Club
will make every effort to ensure the fair play race.
We believe that the Athletes sport dreams come true.
I am honored to invite to Krakow for
2026 ICF Junior & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships
and I wish unforgettable experiences and emotions.
Grzegorz Kotowicz
Location
Poland
Poland (Polska) is a Central European country known for its rich history, diverse landscapes from the Baltic Sea to the Tatra Mountains, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine like pierogi; it's a member of the EU and NATO, with Warsaw as its capital, and is characterized by a temperate climate and friendly people.
Most important
Office language: polish
Captial: Warsaw
Currency: zloty (pln)
About City
Krakow is one of Poland’s oldest and most beautiful cities,
rich in history and culture. A former royal capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features landmarks like Wawel Castle, the Main Market Square, and the Kazimierz district.
Krakow is also a popular base for visiting nearby attractions such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz, and the Tatra Mountains.
How to get to Krakow
By air
Krakow-Balice Airport is located in the town of Balice, 11 km from Krakow. The "Balice Ekspres" is the fastest connection between the center of Krakow and the airport. You can also take a bus or a taxi from the airport to the city.
By car
You can get to Krakow on the A4 highway (toll). This makes traveling from the west fairly easy. Driving from Warsaw : the easiest route is the S7 express road. The center of Krakow is a parking zone. Drivers pay at parking meters located along the streets of the city center.
From January 2026 there is a Clean Transport Zone in Krakow.
By train
All trains arriving in Krakow stop at Krakow Glowny. The station is located near the city center and has connections to other cities in Poland and Europe. You can buy tickets online, at ticket counters or at ticket machines in the station.
By bus
The PKS (Bus Transport Company) station is centrally located behind the Central Railway Station in Krakow. It offers both domestic and international services. In addition to ticket offices, kiosks, a bar and a PKS information desk, the bus station hall also houses travel agencies selling tickets for international routes.
Krakow canoe club
Krakow-Kolna Canoe Slalom Course
Krakow is a host city for canoe slalom events, as it has an artificial whitewater course on the south bank of the Vistula River. The Krakow-Kolna canoe slalom course is 320 meters long and has a drop of 4.5 meters. It offers different levels of difficulty and features such as waves, holes, eddies and gates.
The course is open all year round and has a heated tent that covers the starting pool in winter.
Junior and U23 World Championships 2026
The Junior and U23 World Championships will be held in July 2026 as an event for the future stars of the sport. Both events will take place on the Krakow-Kolna Canoe Slalom course, which will
be modified and well prepared for the occasion.
The event will be a great opportunity to enjoy the spectacular sport of canoe slalom and support the young athletes.
Sponsors
