The World Karate Federation (WKF) has just unveiled its official draft calendar for 2026, and it’s shaping up to be an action-packed season for athletes, fans, and federations worldwide. With top-tier competitions like the K1 Premier League, the World Cadet & Junior Championships, and the WKF Karate World Cup, this year will be decisive for global rankings and qualification spots.
Full Schedule Overview
The WKF calendar features a balanced mix of elite senior competitions, youth development events, and continental championships, creating a well-rounded season that spans the globe. Here’s what you need to know:
K1 Premier League – The Elite Circuit
The prestigious K1 Premier League kicks off early in the year and features multiple stages:
- January 9–11: Tbilisi, Georgia
- January 23–25: Turkey (City TBC)
- March 13–15: (Location TBC)
- April 10–12: (Location TBC)
- April 24–26: Spain (City TBC)
- June 12–14: Rabat, Morocco
- July 16–19: Colombia (City TBC)
- October 2–4: Salzburg, Austria
These events will be critical in determining global rankings heading into the World Cup.
Youth League & Development Pathway
The WKF continues to focus on the future of karate through its Youth League:
- February 12–15: Fujairah, UAE
- May 14–17: Manila, Philippines
- July 2–5: Porec, Croatia
- December 10–13: Venice, Italy
Plus, the popular WKF Youth Camp takes place June 29 to July 1 in Porec.
Continental Championships – Vital for World Cup Qualification
As per WKF regulations, continental championships must take place at least 30 days before the World Cup (by October 20, 2026) to validate continental spots:
- AKF Seniors: May 14–17 – Hong Kong
- EKF Seniors: May 20–24 – Frankfurt, Germany
- PKF Seniors: May 28–31 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- UFAK Championships: August (TBC)
- OKF Championships: Date & Location TBC
- AKF Cadet/Junior/U21: October (TBC) – Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
These events are not only continental titles — they are strategic milestones for World Cup seeding.
Major WKF Events
- World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships: October 14–18 – Rabat, Morocco
- WKF Karate World Cup: November 20–22 – Hangzhou, China
The Karate World Cup is the crown jewel of the calendar and will be a must-watch event this November.
Karate in Multi-Sport Games
Karate continues to be featured in major global events:
- FISU WUC Combat Sports: June 8–9 – Brasilia, Brazil
- Mediterranean Games: September 1–2 – Taranto, Italy
- Asian Games: September 20–23 – Nagoya, Japan
- Youth Olympic Games: October 31 – November 13 – Dakar, Senegal (Karate dates TBC)
These tournaments are essential for visibility and the global expansion of the sport.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 WKF season promises to be a strategic and competitive journey for all karatekas. With key events spread across every continent, it’s a true celebration of the sport’s global spirit. National federations and athletes are now equipped with the roadmap to prepare for a season that leads to one ultimate goal: the WKF Karate World Cup.
As some dates and cities are still to be confirmed (shown in red), make sure to follow official WKF announcements regularly to stay updated.
Stay Tuned!
We’ll be covering each major WKF event in 2026 — from match results and medal tables to behind-the-scenes stories and interviews. Follow our blog to never miss an update!
