Limerick has today been announced as the host city for the 2026 Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships, just two years before the sport is set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), the global governing body for OCR, confirmed that the event will take place from August 7th to 9th, 2026 at Limerick Racecourse, with the University of Limerick serving as the official Athlete Village.
More than 4,000 athletes from over 60 countries are expected to compete, making it one of the largest international sporting events ever staged in the region.
Organisers say the economic impact will be significant, with the event projected to generate over €2.8 million for the wider Mid-West economy.
Obstacle Course Racing is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and has now been elevated to Olympic status for LA28. The sport blends speed, strength, and strategy, challenging athletes to overcome a range of natural and man-made obstacles — including walls, rigs, rope climbs, carries, and crawls — across courses of varying distance and difficulty.
The World Championships in Limerick will feature a range of formats, from short and explosive 100m and 400m sprints to 2–3km technical courses, a 15km endurance race, and high-energy team relays. The competition is open to professionals, age group athletes, Para-OCR competitors, and dedicated amateurs, making it a diverse and inclusive global event.
The successful bid to host the event in the Mid-West was prepared and submitted by the Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland (OCRA Ireland), Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Aimwell Events, the University of Limerick, and Limerick Racecourse.
Sergej Dikun, President of OCRA Ireland, described the announcement as a landmark moment for Irish sport, “Hosting the World Championships just two years before the sport’s Olympic debut is a huge moment for Ireland. We’re honoured to bring the global OCR community to Limerick — and to showcase the passion, people, and places that make the Mid-West Region so special.”
Adam Taylor of Aimwell Events, who travelled with Mr. Dikun to Portugal to present the bid, commented, “Bringing the OCR World Championships to Limerick is a landmark moment not only for the sport but for the entire Mid-West region. We’re proud to be part of the team delivering a world-class event that will attract thousands of athletes and fans from around the globe for this showcase event.”
Danielle Devaney of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau said the benefits of hosting the World Championships would be far-reaching. She explained, “This event will leave a lasting legacy for the Mid-West. It’s a chance to welcome the world, be part of an Olympic story, and generate real economic impact for our communities across the region.”
Michael Lynch, CEO of Limerick Racecourse, stated, “We are delighted to be working with the event stakeholders towards delivery of this prestigious event. This is a proud moment for us. Limerick Racecourse offers a potentially spectacular setting for OCR, and we can’t wait to see it transformed into a world championship arena.”
This week’s event announcement coincides with Limerick playing host to the first-ever European 400m OCR Championships, which will take place at the University of Limerick from July 18th to 20th. That event will bring 300 elite athletes from across Europe to Ireland, marking the country’s first major international OCR competition.
David Ward, Sports Business Development Manager at the University of Limerick, added, “With OCR going to the Olympics, this is a sport on the rise. UL is proud to help grow its global footprint by hosting the athlete village and supporting both this and the European Championships. It shows the scale of what this region can deliver.”
Organisers says the event will require hundreds of volunteers that will be vital to the smooth running of the championships, from obstacle marshals and hydration stations to medal ceremonies, race kit distribution, and media support.
Visit www.ocrwc2025.com for information on this year’s OCR World Championships taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, in September.
