ISF Reveals 2026 Event Calendar

Aug. 11, Lausanne, Switzerland – The International School Sport Federation unveiled its competition calendar for 2026, featuring six major international school sport events to be staged across different countries. The line-up of hosts brings together a dynamic mix of long-standing ISF member federations with a proven hosting record, organisers who have recently delivered landmark events, and nations set to welcome an ISF competition for the very first time.

In a return that promises excitement for basketball fans, the ISF World School Basketball Championship will once again take place in Serbia — following the success of its 2022 edition in Belgrade. This will mark the 11th ISF event hosted by the Serbian School Sport Federation in the past decade. Fresh from delivering the record-breaking ISF U15 Gymnasiade 2024, Serbia is ready to surprise the global school sport community once more in 2026.

Another active ISF member, China Student Sports Federation (CSSF), will host two major events next year: the second edition of the ISF Football World Cup and the ISF World School Volleyball Championship. CSSF has reaffirmed its commitment to staging the ISF Football World Cup in 2028, along with multiple editions of the World School Volleyball Championships across U18 and U15 categories in the coming years.

Morocco continues to strengthen its ties with the sport of golf. After successfully delivering the historic inaugural ISF World School Golf Championship this year to high international praise, the country will welcome the second edition in 2026. The quality and professionalism displayed in the first edition have already inspired several ISF members to commit to participation next year, ensuring another milestone in the global growth of school golf.

A notable debut on the ISF stage will come from North Macedonia, where the School Sports Federation of North Macedonia (MSSF) — founded in 1964 and comprising 250 school sports clubs nationwide — will host its first-ever ISF event: the ISF World School Handball Championship. MSSF, with a strong tradition in organising domestic school sport competitions and representing the nation in European and ISF events, is set to showcase its passion for handball and international school sport to the world.

The biggest announcement, however, is still to come. Discussions are underway with potential host cities for the ISF Gymnasiade 2026, the Federation’s flagship multi-sport event. The host will be revealed soon—stay tuned for updates as the ISF continues to shape the future of international school sport.