OKLAHOMA CITY — Riversport OKC is hosting the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships from July 20 to July 25, 2026. The championships serve as the first major qualification event for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Competitions began on Monday, July 20, 2026. Kayak cross time trials began at 9:30 a.m. on that day. The championships include competitions in canoe slalom, kayak slalom, and kayak cross.

More than 300 athletes from 50 countries are competing in the championships. The primary source states the event features 256 athletes from 50 countries. Athletes will compete on the same course at Riversport OKC that will be used for the 2028 Olympic canoe slalom events. Oklahoma City will host the canoe slalom and softball events for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

A free opening ceremony took place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Riversport OKC. "We're going to have events starting tonight, which is the opening ceremony. We have a full slate of entertainment, some amazing entertainment, great fireworks show. It kicks everything off. It's free. So, we do encourage everyone. We want to pack the house," Riversport OKC founder Mike Knopp said.

And then the competition begins Monday. There's a medal ceremony every day. Leading all the way to Saturday. So, there'll be a different selection of events each day, from canoe slalom kayak cross, which is a brand-new Olympic sport. So just really something for everyone to see.""

"Who would’ve thought, here we are right in the middle of America, and we’re hosting the world championships in canoe slalom, ICF Canoe Slalom Committee chair Richard Fox said. Thank you to everybody. OKC is, you know, it's the heart of America. But it, you know, it comes with a big heart too. And we've been made very welcome here." "They're going to see a lot of action. It's exciting with all the attention. The athletes are fighting hard. The whitewater is really unforgiving."

Tickets for the championships are priced at $6 for a one-day pass. "If people want to get a taste of what it's like the Olympics will be like, this is the perfect time to come check it out," Knopp added. "We have 50 countries here, and they're competing for a world title. And this begins the qualification process for the LA Olympics."

This is the first time the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships have been held in the United States since 2014. The 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships were held in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. This is only the third time the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships have been hosted in North America.

"We’ve been working to make this a paddlesport capital for 20 years. If we didn’t have the Olympics to look forward to and this was the crowning achievement — that we were having the World Championships — what a moment that would be for our city … and it’s only because we have the Olympics that it’s slightly overshadowed, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said. It’s a very historic moment for the city. It should be huge validation for everybody who’s contributed to the progress at the river, the progress at Riversport." "This is a really historic moment for Oklahoma City. This is really a prelude to the Olympics that we're going to have. In its own right, this is a massive event. Fifty countries here in Oklahoma City competing," he added.