2026 World Rowing Under 23 Championships

At under-23 level the World Rowing Championships are the global benchmark, and the 2026 edition is held on the Wedau course in Duisburg, Germany, with racing from 22 to 25 July. The U23 worlds gather the strongest crews in the age group from every leading nation.

Duisburg falls in the heart of the summer, and the Wedau course is a familiar sheltered stretch of water that tends to reward clean, controlled racing. With a world title on the line the depth is considerable, and a strong heat counts for a great deal before the finals arrive.

This is the level where the gap to the senior squad starts to close, and several of the crews racing here already carry serious international pedigree. For followers of the sport it offers an early read on which nations are building strength across the boat classes.