LIMERICK has been announced as the host city for the 2026 Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships, projected to generate over €2.8million for the wider Mid West region.
It has been confirmed by the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), the global OCR governing body, that competition will take place from August 7 to 9 at Limerick Racecourse.
More than 4,000 athletes from over 60 countries are expected to compete, making it one of the largest international sporting events ever staged in the region.
Athletes will stay at the official Athlete Village at the University of Limerick (UL).
The sport blends speed, strength, and strategy, challenging athletes to overcome a range of natural and man-made obstacles — including walls, rigs, rope climbs, carries, and crawls — across courses of varying distance and difficulty.
The championships will feature a range of formats, from short and explosive 100m and 400m sprints to 2–3km technical courses, a 15km endurance race, and high-energy team relays.
The competition is open to professionals, age group athletes, para-OCR competitors, and dedicated amateurs.
The event will come just two years before the sport is set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The successful bid to host the event in the Mid West was led by the Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Aimwell Events, UL, and Limerick Racecourse.
The event’s announcement coincided with Limerick playing host to the first ever European 400m OCR Championships, which will take place at the UL from July 18 to 20.
