The spotlight of European karate turns to the 2026 EKF Senior Championships this week as the continent’s premier competition arrives in Frankfurt, Germany. Bringing together Europe’s finest karate athletes, the championships will crown the new kings and queens of the sport while showcasing the extraordinary level of talent and competitiveness that defines European karate. Adding even greater significance to this year’s event, the team competitions will also serve as a qualification pathway to the upcoming Karate World Cup later this season.
WHAT
- The 2026 EKF Senior Championships are the main event of the season of European Karate, where the elite of the sport on the continent gather to crown the new championships
- This year’s edition of the event takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, and it follows the brilliant last editions, in Yerevan, Armenia, in 2025 and in Zadar, Croatia, in 2024.
WHERE
- The event will take place at the Eissporthalle Frankfurt, a multifunctional sports complex in the east of Frankfurt/Main with a seating capacity of over 3500 spectators.
- Tickets may be purchased here.
- Germany goes back to organising major karate events after a hiatus of eight years, since the 2018 Karate One Premier League Berlin. Previously, the powerhouse nation of European karate has hosted European Championships and the memorable 2014 edition of the World Championships in Bremen.
WHEN
- The tournament is scheduled from May 20 to 24.
- Starting on Wednesday, the competition will continue until Sunday.
- Eliminations will take place from Wednesday to Friday. The medal bouts and finals will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
- Find the full competition programme here.
WHO
- Over 500 athletes from 50 countries have registered to participate in the event.
- Powerhouse nation of Turkiye presents the largest delegation with 28 athletes. The top nations of Croatia and France also compete with a large number of competitors, with 26 and 25 athletes respectively.
HOW
- The competition follows a knockout format.
- The event comprises 12 individual categories, 4 team divisions, and the Para Karate categories.
- The event garners even more importance as it qualifies teams for the upcoming Karate World Cup. The top 5 qualified teams in the 4 team categories (gold, silver and two bronze medallists, as well as the fifth qualified team losing to the gold medallist)
WATCH IT LIVE!
· The medal days of the event (Saturday and Sunday) will be available LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel
· Watch all the action from Frankfurt LIVE on the WKF YouTube channel
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