"VAN" (Sports Desk - 18.09.2025) :: World Rowing is delighted to confirm that the 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept2, will take place in the second half of February 2026 in a virtual format, the most accessible one across Indoor/Connected Rowing, bringing together athletes from across the globe on the sport’s largest online stage.
The event will feature three new race formats: the 1’000m; the 5’000m and the 1-minute race. These three race formats are designed to make the competition engaging for as many people as possible, encouraging participation from a diverse range of competitors worldwide.
While the first part of the year will be dedicated to the virtual event, World Rowing plans to host an in-person World Rowing Indoor Championships later in 2026, to crown the discipline’s world champions on the traditional 2’000m and 500m distances. Further details will be announced in due course.
The decision reflects both the global accessibility of Indoor/Connected Rowing and the rapid development of the discipline in recent years. The discipline has established a strong foundation for its continued expansion around the world.
In parallel, the launch of initiatives such as the World Rowing Virtual Series, and the World Rowing Super 60 recently launched in Singapore, demonstrates World Rowing’s commitment to creating fresh, dynamic formats to inspire new generations of rowers and fans.
“Indoor/Connected Rowing has undergone a remarkable evolution from a training tool to a vibrant, global sport in its own right,” said Filip Ljubicic, Chair of the World Rowing Indoor Rowing Commission. “The 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships will allow athletes everywhere to compete on an equal footing, while we plan for an in-person event later in the year. This dual pathway reflects both the inclusivity and the ambition of Indoor/Connected Rowing.”
Further details on the competition formats, dates, and registration for the 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept 2, will be released in the coming weeks.
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