World Abilitysport has awarded the hosting of the 2026 Para Fencing European Championships in Cardiff, Wales to British Fencing (BF), in partnership with UK Sport, supported by funding from The National Lottery and the Welsh Government.
World Abilitysport has confirmed British Fencing as the host for the 2026 Para Fencing European Championships which will take place in Cardiff, Wales. BF has been awarded the opportunity to host this event for the first time, having previously hosted the Cardiff Wheelchair Fencing World Cup in 2024.
The October 2026 Cardiff event will be the first European-based qualification fixture for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Work is already underway to ensure a world-class experience is delivered for athletes from both the UK and the rest of the world.
BF recently took over the responsibility of the GBR Wheelchair Fencing World Class Programme and is now the national governing body for Para Fencing in the UK.
BF’s CEO, Georgina Usher said: “We are looking forward to once again welcoming athletes from the UK and across the world as they set out on their journey towards LA 2028 Paralympic qualifications. We look forward to building on the success of the Cardiff 2024 Wheelchair World Cup. This is another fantastic opportunity for us to inspire the next generation of athletes, officials and volunteers from Wales and the UK.”
Charmaine Hooper, Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport said: “We are delighted that Cardiff will return to the World Para Fencing calendar in 2026, following on from British Fencing and the city staging a successful World Cup in 2024. It demonstrates the opportunities that exist for organisers to follow a pathway and build their capacity and experience by hosting different levels of competition.
“The European Championships form part of an exciting calendar for 2026, featuring new and established locations, as well kick-starting qualification for LA 2028. We are confident that Cardiff and British Fencing will stage an excellent event.”
Graham Williams, Director for Sport Intelligence and Service Development at Sport Wales, said: “We’re thrilled that another high-level para sports event is coming to Wales. Last year’s Wheelchair Fencing World Cup in Cardiff was very successful so we’re looking forward to hosting another memorable event and supporting the further growth of disability sport in Wales.”
Esther Britten, Head of Events at UK Sport said: “We are delighted that world-class wheelchair fencing will return to Cardiff in 2026. The support of The National Lottery has been instrumental in bringing this event back to the UK and giving British athletes a golden opportunity to compete in front of home fans as they build towards the LA Paralympic Games.”
Welsh athlete Gemma Collis said: “I’m beyond excited to get an opportunity to compete on home soil again. The 2024 Cardiff World Cup was a huge success – so I can’t wait to see what we can do with an even bigger, more prestigious event!
“Our last experience of hosting an event in Wales couldn’t have been better. The volunteers were amazing – they really added to the energy in the venue, ensuring everything ran smoothly, and that fencers from all over the world felt welcome and able to focus on their performances. So, to be able to return to Cardiff and that atmosphere is something I really look forward to!”
Could you be tomorrow’s Paralympic fencing champion? Contact BF at [email protected] to learn more.
Don’t miss the latest news. Subscribe to our weekly summary email, The Fencing Digest, featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.
