World Climbing launches the climbing World Cup season this year with the Keqiao bouldering World Cup, from May 1 to 3. For competitors, it will be the first international competition of 2026.
With the first bouldering World Cup in Keqiao, World Climbing kicks off the 2026 season. The international elite of bouldering will gather at the Shaoxing Keqiao Yangshan climbing center the first weekend of May.
A high-level starting field in Keqiao
The first World Cup of the season is a must-attend event for many bouldering specialists. Among the participants are reigning Olympic champions like Janja Garnbret and Toby Robert, as well as other well-known names such as Jongwon Chon, Max Milne, Brooke Raboutou, Dohyun Lee, Mejdi Schalck, and Chaehyun Seo.
Last year’s top three female champions, Annie Sanders, Erin McNeice, and Oriane Bertone, will also compete. Jessica Pilz is also returning to the competition after a long absence due to injury.
Team Japan once again well represented
Last year, the Japanese national team dominated particularly in Keqiao, especially among men. Sorato Anraku will try to defend his title this year, and Meichi Narasaki, the bronze medalist in 2025, is also back. Japan is sending several other discipline stars to Keqiao, including Tomoa Narasaki, Sohta Amagasa, Miho Nonaka, Mélodie Sekikawa, and Futaba Ito.
On the other hand, some familiar faces are absent from this season’s first World Cup: Ai Mori, recently crowned Japanese champion in bouldering and lead climbing, will not compete in Keqiao. Climbers like Colin Duffy, Jakob Schubert, and Anna Apel are also missing, with the latter being injured.
The DACH region strongly represented
The DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) is also strongly represented in Keqiao with athletes like Hannah Meul, Lucia Därröfel, Anna Lechner, Elias Arriagada Krüger, Lucas Trandafir, Lasse von Freier, Finn Altemöller, and Thorben Perry Bloem.
World Climbing increases prizes for the 2026 season
For the 2026 season, the International Climbing Federation World Climbing has announced an increase in prizes for World Cup finalists. A maximum amount of [missing amount] is available for this season. 850,000 in the pot, spread over 13 World Cup events in bouldering, lead, and speed climbing. This is more than double the amount from the 2024 season.
Keqiao World Cup: Schedule and Program
The female and male teams will begin their qualifications together on Friday, followed by two semifinals and the finals on different dates. Keqiao (GMT+8) is located six hours ahead of Central European Time (GMT+2). The times indicated are the local time in Keqiao.
- Friday, May 1, 2026
09:00 Women’s Qualifications
16:00 Men’s Qualifications - Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:30 Women’s Semifinals
19:00 Women’s Finals - Sunday, May 3, 2026
10:30 Men’s Semifinals
19:00 Men’s Finals
Live Stream
Local restrictions will remain in place this season. Live streaming on YouTube by World Climbing. European viewers can watch the semifinals and finals live on Découverte + or the Eurosport Player for a fee.
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- Cover photo credits: Nakajima Kazushige/IFSC
