Chinese athlete Shi Zhiyong competes in a weightlifting event. [Photo/Yongpai app]

Athlete registration has opened for the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships, which will be held at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center from Oct 27 to Nov 8. Registration will remain open until July 27.

Organized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the championships are expected to bring together more than 600 athletes and over 400 technical officials from more than 100 countries and regions, making it one of the sport's premier annual events.

In an invitation letter to IWF member federations, Chinese Weightlifting Association President Zhan Xugang described the championships as the first qualifying event on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, calling on athletes from around the world to compete in Ningbo.

The event will mark the return of the World Weightlifting Championships to China for the first time since Guangzhou in Guangdong province hosted the competition in 1995.

Ningbo secured hosting rights for the 2026 championships in December 2023 and has since been advancing preparations. IWF delegations conducted inspection visits to the city in April 2024 and January 2026, while organizers held a technical coordination meeting with international officials in April to review competition standards and operational requirements.

To strengthen event operations, local organizers also sent staff to observe weightlifting competitions at China's 15th National Games and gain experience in venue management and competition delivery.

Following an inspection of the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center, IWF President Mohammed Jalood expressed confidence in both the venue and the city's preparations. According to the federation, the Ningbo championships are expected to set a high benchmark for weightlifting events throughout the current Olympic cycle.

Ticket sales are expected to begin soon through official channels.