World Aquatics reveals hosts of Diving World Cup, Junior Championships

The host cities for the 2026 and 2027 editions of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup have been confirmed, with the world’s best divers set to compete in Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China across a three-stop tour.

Meanwhile, the 2026 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships will take place in Rijeka, Croatia, along the Adriatic Sea.

The 2026 and 2027 World Aquatics Diving World Cup will feature three marquee events each year that culminate in the highly anticipated Super Final, as athletes showcase their skills and build momentum ahead of the World Aquatics Championships – Budapest 2027.

The World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2026 event schedule:  

• Stop 1: Montreal, Canada – 26 February to 1 March 2026
• Stop 2: Guadalajara, Mexico – 5-8 March 2026
• Stop 3: Beijing, China – 1-3 May 2026(Super Final event)

Canada Again Welcomes the World’s Diving Elite

The 2026 World Aquatics Diving World Cup will kick off in Canada, with the opening leg moving northeast from last year’s host city of Windsor to Montreal. A renowned host of global sporting events — including the 1976 Olympic Games and the 2005 World Aquatics Championships — Montreal also holds a distinguished place in international diving, having previously hosted 14 World Aquatics Diving World Cup and Grand Prix events, as well as the World Junior Diving Championships in 2022. As a nation, Canada has a rich legacy in the sport, having welcomed 41 World Aquatics diving competitions to date.

Quebec native Matt Cullen delivered a memorable moment for the host nation when he claimed gold in the Men’s 10m Platform (16–18 category) at the 2022 World Junior Diving Championships in Montreal. Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Cullen says he “can’t wait” to see the world’s top divers return to Montreal’s Olympic Park Sports Centre — the iconic venue built for the 1976 Olympic Games that now serves as both a community aquatics hub and is one of Canada’s national high-performance diving facilities.

“Winning gold in Montreal at the Junior Worlds memory I’ll always carry with me,” said Matt Cullen. “That pool, that crowd—it was inspiring and electric. Knowing that the Diving World Cup is coming back here, and that the world’s best will get to experience the energy and history of this place, is something special. I can’t wait to see Montreal shine on the international stage again.”

Guadalajara Returns for 2026 as Key Stop on Diving World Cup Tour

One of the most talked-about World Cup stops on the 2025 World Aquatics calendar, Guadalajara will return as a host city for the 2026 edition of the series. The competition will once again take place at the Centre Acuático Code Metropolitano, Mexico’s national diving training hub located in Zapopan, within the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area in the state of Jalisco.

Mexico returned to the international aquatics stage in 2025 after a decade-long absence, having last hosted World Aquatics events in 2015 — including World Cups in diving, open water swimming, and high diving. Guadalajara itself has a storied diving legacy as the home training base for several of the country’s Olympic medallists, including Gabriela Agúndez, Paola Espinosa, Iván García, Álvaro Gaxiola, Alejandra Orozco, and Germán Sánchez.

Mexico’s significance as a host nation is evident in the 49 World Aquatics events it has staged to date — including 29 Diving World Cups and recognised international diving competitions. World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam highlighted this legacy in welcoming Guadalajara’s continued role in the global tour.

“With its history, scale, and sporting culture, Mexico plays a key role in the development of aquatic sports in the Americas,” said President Al Musallam. “Strengthening our presence across this important region is vital to our global mission, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Mexican aquatics community.”

Leading a resurgent Mexican diving team is Osmar Olvera Ibarra, who recently claimed the world title in the Men’s 3m Springboard at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025. The reigning world champion in the Men’s 1m Springboard, Olvera Ibarra also earned Olympic silver in Paris alongside Juan Manuel Celaya Hernández in the Men’s 3m Synchro.

“It’s a dream come true: to be a world champion in an Olympic event,” said Olvera Ibarra. “Bringing the Diving World Cup to Guadalajara is the ideal way to keep this momentum going and continue building on our country’s proud diving history. Hosting the World Cup is a testament to all the hard work behind our success. I welcome the world to compete in my backyard.”

Beijing | Water Cube Awaits the World’s Best for the Super Final

Synonymous with diving excellence, Beijing will once again host the Super Final of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup — the concluding stop of the 2026 series — at the iconic Water Cube. Officially known as the National Aquatics Centre, the venue is steeped in Olympic history, having witnessed record-breaking performances during the Beijing 2008 Games.

Beijing has long been a fixture on the global diving circuit, having hosted 11 editions of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup, two additional recognised diving events, and the 2008 Olympic diving competitions. The city’s commitment to aquatics continues, with World Aquatics recently announcing Beijing as the host of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in 2026 and the World Aquatics Championships in 2029.

Reigning Olympic and world champion Chen Yiwen is among those looking forward to qualifying for the 2026 Super Final and performing in front of home fans in one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

“The Super Final is such a special moment in the season — it’s where all our hard work comes together,” said Chen Yiwen. “I’m incredibly proud that Beijing will host the 2026 and 2027 Super Finals. It’s always exciting to compete at home, and I know the city will create an amazing atmosphere. We’ll do everything we can to deliver a memorable performance for the fans.”

“For us athletes, the Super Final is where everything comes to a head — it’s the stage we’ve been working toward all year,” added the eight-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist in the Women’s 3m Individual and Synchro events from the Paris 2024 Games. “Competing in the Water Cube, with the crowd behind us, gives us extra motivation — but every diver wants to perform their best on that stage.

“The head-to-head format adds even more intensity — it pushes you to stay sharp, stay focused, and deliver your best dive under pressure,” added Chen. “This will again be a special moment for all of us.”

Looking Ahead to the 2027 Diving World Cup Season | Canada, Mexico and China Again Feature

The 2027 Diving World Cup will follow the 2026 script, with events taking place in Canada, Mexico and China. Montreal and Beijing are confirmed, with the city to hold the event in Mexico announced later. 

The World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2027 event schedule:  

• Stop 1: Montreal, Canada – 25-28 February 2027
• Stop 2: City Host TBD, Mexico – 4-7 March 2027
• Stop 3: Beijing, China – 30 April-2 May 2027 (Super Final event)

World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships Return in 2026

The biennial World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships will return for its seventh edition in 2026, with Rijeka, Croatia set to host the event. From 21 to 28 August, the picturesque outdoor Kantrida Pool, located beside the Adriatic Sea, will welcome the world’s top junior divers. Athletes will compete in two age categories: 14–15 and 16–18 years old.

“We are honoured that Croatia has been chosen to host the 2026 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships,” said World Aquatics Bureau Member Josip Varvodic. “Rijeka’s Kantrida Pool is one of the most scenic aquatic venues in Europe, and we are excited to welcome the world’s best young diving talent to our country. This event is an important opportunity to showcase Croatia’s passion for aquatic sports and our commitment to developing the next generation of divers – both in Croatia and internationally.”

Upcoming Diving Event Announcements | World Aquatics Recognised Diving Events

Alongside the main Diving World Cup series, World Aquatics will also soon announce the 2026 Diving Recognised Events calendar, offering both emerging elite and international diving stars additional opportunities to compete on the global stage.

These events provide valuable preparation and experience for divers aiming to excel on the world stage.

The Americas to Asia to Central Europe: A Focused International Diving Calendar with Global Impact

World Aquatics Diving Technical Committee Chair Bashar Al-Saffar highlighted the importance of the upcoming two years for the global diving community.

“Over the past three years, there’s been real momentum in diving. In 2025, we introduced a new Super Final format with head-to-head matchups in individual events — a fresh concept that shows our community’s openness to innovation and change.

“The 2026 and 2027 World Aquatics Diving World Cup builds on this momentum, bringing top-level competition to three cities across the Americas and Asia,” said Al-Saffar. “This format helps connect athletes, fans, and national federations in exciting and meaningful ways.

“I’m also pleased that Rijeka, Croatia, will host the 2026 World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships — an important platform for developing talent and fostering the next generation of elite divers,” added Al-Saffar. “As we look ahead to the next World Aquatics Championships in Budapest and the LA 2028 Olympic Games, I’m excited to keep watching our sport and community grow.”