COMPETITION CALENDAR · 試合暦

The 2026 competition year, laid out plainly.

Eighteen events worth attending across the 2026 calendar — continental championships, national flagships, open tournaments, inter-club friendlies, and junior-specific events. Each row tells you when, where, who can enter, how much it costs, and when registration closes. Plan your year around it.

18 EVENTS · 5 TIERS · 14 COUNTRIES · 5 PREP WINDOWS
EVENTS

Filter by event tier.

DateEventTierLocationBracketsClosesFee
14–16 Feb 2026
European Open
Largest open in continental Europe. ~2,400 athletes typical.
continentalHamburg · DESenior, Junior, Cadet
Kata + kumite		7 Jan 2026CHF 95
7–8 Mar 2026
Karate Bharat Open · Delhi
Strong junior bracket. Visa support available.
nationalNew Delhi · INAll
Kata + kumite + team kumite		20 Feb 2026CHF 35
21–23 Mar 2026
Pan-American Championships
Qualifier for Pan-American Games selection.
continentalBuenos Aires · ARSenior, Junior
Kata + kumite		15 Feb 2026CHF 110
11–12 Apr 2026
Mediterranean Cup
Para-karate categories well-supported.
openNaples · ITAll
Kata + kumite + para-karate		25 Mar 2026CHF 65
18–19 Apr 2026
British Open
Strong sub-elite competitive field.
openManchester · UKAll
Kata + kumite		4 Apr 2026CHF 55
2–4 May 2026
Japan All-Styles Cup
Rare cross-style invitational. Limited international slots.
openTokyo · JPSenior
Kata + kumite, cross-style brackets		15 Apr 2026CHF 75
16–17 May 2026
African Championships
Africa's flagship event. Growing technical depth annually.
continentalCasablanca · MASenior, Junior
Kata + kumite		15 Apr 2026CHF 80
6–7 Jun 2026
Asian Junior Championships
Deepest junior continental field globally.
juniorSeoul · KRJunior, Cadet, Mini-cadet
Kata + kumite		1 May 2026CHF 45
20–21 Jun 2026
Australian Open
Oceanian flagship. International qualifier weight.
openSydney · AUAll
Kata + kumite + team		6 Jun 2026CHF 70
11 Jul 2026
Inter-Club Summer Open
Small but well-run; ideal first-time-competitor event.
inter-clubZürich · CHAll
Kata + kumite		4 Jul 2026CHF 25
25–28 Jul 2026
World University Championships
Open to currently-enrolled university students globally.
continentalLisbon · PTSenior (18–25)
Kata + kumite + team		15 Jun 2026CHF 90
15–17 Aug 2026
Bharat National Championships
India's flagship national. Strong cadet bracket.
nationalMumbai · INAll
Kata + kumite + team		1 Aug 2026CHF 30
5–7 Sep 2026
Karate Combat International
Kumite-only invitational. Highly competitive.
openMadrid · ESSenior
Kumite only		15 Aug 2026CHF 85
19–20 Sep 2026
Veteran Championships
Veteran-only event. Friendly atmosphere; high technical standard.
continentalVienna · ATVeteran 35+, 45+, 55+, 65+
Kata + kumite (light contact)		1 Sep 2026CHF 55
10–12 Oct 2026
Karate Bharat International
India's flagship international event. Continental qualifier weight.
continentalBengaluru · INAll
Kata + kumite + team		20 Sep 2026CHF 65
24–25 Oct 2026
North American Championships
Canada / USA / Mexico federations represented.
continentalToronto · CASenior, Junior
Kata + kumite		4 Oct 2026CHF 95
7 Nov 2026
Inter-Club Autumn Open · London
Friendly UK club-circuit event. First-tournament-friendly.
inter-clubLondon · UKAll
Kata + kumite		31 Oct 2026CHF 30
5–7 Dec 2026
Year-End World Open
Highest-prize-pool open globally. Strong sub-elite field.
openDubai · AESenior
Kata + kumite + team		15 Nov 2026CHF 120
PREPARATION WINDOWS

How early to start preparing.

continental
16 WEEKS
Selection trial 12 weeks out. Tapered training. Sports psychology session. Travel logistics confirmed 8 weeks ahead.
national
12 WEEKS
Mock grading + sparring week at -8 weeks. Federation paperwork submitted 6 weeks out. Hotel confirmed.
open
8 WEEKS
Increased kumite volume from week -6. Tapered from week -2. Visa if required.
inter-club
4 WEEKS
Add one extra training session per week. No special travel logistics.
junior
PER PARENT GUIDANCE
School schedule and homework load coordinated with sensei. Travel chaperone required.
BEFORE REGISTERING
Pick 3–5 events for the year, not 15.
Spreading thin across the calendar produces consistent middle-of-the-bracket results and accumulated minor injuries. Pick a flagship (continental or national), 1–2 mid-tier opens to peak toward it, and 1–2 inter-club events for early-season exposure. The annual rhythm matters more than the count.
Discuss your selection with your sensei before registering for anything. Federation entry fees are typically non-refundable.
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