Kraków Hosts a Speed Climbing First
Kraków is about to stage something the World Climbing Series has never seen before. When the Speed discipline returns to the Polish city in July 2026, athletes will race on a four-lane wall rather than the standard two-lane setup used at every previous Series event. Four-lane walls have appeared at multi-sport events such as the World Games and the Asian Games, but this will mark the format's debut in the Series itself, according to World Climbing, which first reported the details.
New Formats: Relays Alongside Individual Racing
The individual Speed competition remains the centrepiece and will count toward the 2026 World Climbing Series rankings. Alongside it, Kraków introduces team relay events in three categories: men, women, and mixed gender. The relay format adds a tactical dimension that pure head-to-head racing does not. Decisions about running order and partner selection can be decisive, and some teams are expected to keep their lineups private until close to the official registration deadline.
Kazakhstan's Amir Maimuratov, who is competing in both individual Speed and the men's relay, offered a candid take on the relay's appeal. He described it as a chance to have fun with teammates and enjoy competition in a different way, while also acknowledging that he and his relay partner Damir Toktarov have had limited opportunity to train together because Toktarov is studying abroad. Maimuratov noted he is skipping the mixed relay to focus his energy on the two events he has entered.
A Strong Field Across Both Genders
Close to 140 athletes are registered, with some competing in a single event and others taking on multiple formats. The men's individual field includes world record holder Yicheng Zhao of China, American Sam Watson, Olympic gold medallist Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia, Germany's Leander Carmanns, Italy's Matteo Zurloni, and Japan's Ryo Omasa.
On the women's side, Olympic champion Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland has indicated that Kraków will be her farewell competition, describing it as her way of thanking Polish supporters. She will face compatriots Natalia and Aleksandra Kalucka, as well as USA's Emma Hunt, Indonesia's Desak Dewi, and China's Lijuan Deng, part of a Chinese women's squad with relay experience from the Asian Games.
Why It Matters for Hosts
An event of this scale, featuring nearly 140 international athletes plus their support staff, coaches, and accompanying spectators, creates meaningful short-term demand for accommodation in Kraków. Independent operators near the city centre or with good transport links to competition venues are well placed to benefit. Guests attending multi-day sporting events tend to book longer stays and often return to destinations they associate with positive experiences. Promoting availability early, offering flexible check-in around competition schedules, and providing practical local information such as transport to venues can set a property apart from larger, less personal options.
Looking Ahead
Kraków's growing role on the World Climbing calendar reflects the city's capacity to host complex international events and the genuine enthusiasm athletes express for competing there. Maimuratov's comment about the city's atmosphere echoes a sentiment that has commercial as well as cultural value: destinations that feel welcoming to international visitors tend to attract repeat visits, both for sport and for leisure.
Full news and updates are available on the World Climbing website and across the federation's official digital channels. Details in this post were first reported by World Climbing.
First reported by Krakow Travel.