2026 Canoe Slalom European Championships

European canoe slalom returns to Ivrea

From September 23 to 27, 2026, the city of Ivrea, in the Province of Turin, becomes the European capital of canoe slalom as it hosts the Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross European Championships. The event, organized by the European Canoe Association (ECA) with the support of the Ivrea Canoa Club as the local organizing committee, brings together the continent's finest athletes to tackle the challenging rapids of the Dora Baltea.

The Canoe Stadium, a unique stage

The races take place at the Ivrea Canoe Stadium on Via Dora Baltea, one of the few facilities in the world located right in the city center. The race course, approximately 230 meters long and classified as Grade IV, is considered one of the most technical and selective slalom tracks in Europe—a natural theater that allows spectators to follow every run up close. Ivrea is a federal center for the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation and a key reference point for whitewater disciplines.

A well-established international tradition

The Canavese region is no stranger to top-level events: the Ivrea stadium has previously hosted World Cup stages and the Junior and Under 23 World Championships. In 2026, it welcomes the senior continental championship, confirming the prestige of this Piedmontese venue on the world canoeing stage.

Competition disciplines

• Canoe (C1) and Kayak (K1), men's and women's individual races
• Team events by nation
• Kayak Cross, the spectacular Olympic discipline featuring four athletes in the water simultaneously

More than just sport

Beyond the competition, the event is an opportunity for Ivrea and the entire Canavese area to promote the region and foster cultural exchange, with an international audience discovering the city, its UNESCO-recognized industrial heritage, and the beauty of the Morainic Amphitheater. Admission to the races is free.