2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup to Be Held in Bazhong in May
A press conference for the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup was held in Chengdu on March 27. At the conference, the event organizing committee announced key details including the schedule, venue, participant scale, competition events as well as the current preparation progress of the tournament.
It is learned that the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup is a top-tier international Class A water sports event. This marks its third landing in China and the first time it is held in Bazhong. Hosted by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the 2026 ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup is organized by the Water Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Canoeing Association, the Sichuan Provincial Sports Bureau and the People's Government of Bazhong City. It is co-organized by the Sichuan Water Sports Management Center, the Bazhong Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Sports and Tourism, and the People's Government of Bazhou District, Bazhong City.
Scheduled to take place in Bazhong, Sichuan, China from May 20 to 24, 2026, the event will be held at the Bacheng Section of the Bahe River in Bazhou District, Bazhong City. The schedule is as follows: May 20 for athlete check-in, May 21 to 22 for official training sessions, and May 23 to 24 for the official competitions. Nearly 400 athletes from more than 20 countries and regions are expected to participate, including over 100 foreign athletes, with 30 elite international paddlers specially invited.
Debut in Bazhong: Elite Competition and Public Participation in Parallel
According to the relevant person in charge, canoe marathon is a sport that weaves together humans and water, strength and beauty, endurance and wisdom. When the starting siren blares, hundreds of canoes cut through the water like arrows released from a bow, surging forward and forming a magnificent scene of"hundreds of boats racing to the front".
Especially for elite athletes, they must not only steer their boats to brave the waves and cleave through the river currents, but also carry their boats ashore multiple times during the long race. They heft the over 5-kilogram boats, run barefoot on the bank, and get back into the water in an instant. This unique portage design of"the athlete never separating from the boat" infuses the race with both speed and passion, as well as exquisite tactical contests. It is precisely for this reason that canoe marathon has gained widespread popularity across the world. It is not only a contest of physical strength, but also a trial of willpower.
The Natural Bahe River Course: Boosting the Integration of Sports Feast and Culture & Tourism
Why has this international Class A water sports event chosen Bazhong as its host city?
It is reported that the International Canoe Federation selected Bazhong after a comprehensive assessment of its geographical location, event-hosting conditions, cultural resources and other factors. The assessment found that Bazhong is well-suited for water sports, has the capability to host international events, and embodies the warmth of a landscape city.
A Window to the World: Integrating City Brand with Landscape and Culture
In recent years, taking the integration of"Sports + Culture and Tourism" as a key initiative, Bazhong has been building up its city brand of"Poetic Landscapes, Red Bazhong" to growing renown.
As a National Civilized City, a National Demonstration Zone for Ecological Civilization Construction, and one of China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities, Bazhong boasts one UNESCO Global Geopark, one national 5A-level tourist attraction and 21 national 4A-level scenic spots. Nurtured by mountains and rivers, steeped in history, and forged in red revolutionary spirit, Bazhong is a picturesque landscape scroll, a cultural treasure trove, and a revered red revolutionary land.
Based on its resource endowments, how can Bazhong seize the opportunity of this event to enhance its city brand and turn the competition venue into a window for showcasing Bazhong's urban image to the outside world?
Bazhong's answer is to gather popularity through the event, retain visitors with quality services, and sustain the buzz through industrial development. The city will fully capitalize on the event's traffic, creating a new model of"Watching the Races + Exploring Bazhong + Enjoying Consumption", allowing visitors to have a great time and savor local delicacies while watching the competitions.
In addition, taking the opportunity of International Museum Day and China Tourism Day, Bazhong will connect its scenic spots, commercial districts and cultural venues, launch discounts on combined tickets and special experience activities. This will make the competition venue a showcase for Bazhong, effectively turning the popularity generated by the event into a tangible driving force for the development of Bazhong's tourism and consumption.（Publicity Dept. of CPC Bazhou District Committee）
