The 2026 World Judo Championships open on Oct. 4 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together 640 athletes from 96 nations for the sport’s marquee event of the season. Competition runs through Oct. 11, featuring individual weight classes across the first seven days before concluding with the mixed team event on the final Sunday.
Italian Roster Highlights Top Contenders in Baku
Italy enters the world championships with a high-profile delegation featuring established champions like Assunta Scutto and Odette Giuffrida, alongside a deep roster across both the men’s and women’s divisions. Scutto anchors the women’s under-48 kg category representing Fiamme Gialle, while Giuffrida contests the under-52 kg division for the Esercito. The women’s individual lineup also includes Giulia Carnà (-57 kg, Fiamme Oro), Carlotta Avanzato (-63 kg, Fiamme Oro), Irene Pedrotti (-70 kg, Fiamme Azzurre), Giorgia Stangherlin (-70 kg, Carabinieri), Asya Tavano (+78 kg, Fiamme Azzurre), and Erica Simonetti (+78 kg, Esercito).
The Italian men’s individual squad features Andrea Carlino (-60 kg, Esercito), Valerio Accogli (-66 kg, Carabinieri), Matteo Piras (-66 kg, Esercito), Giovanni Esposito (-73 kg, Fiamme Azzurre), Leonardo Valeriani (-73 kg, Fiamme Gialle), Antonio Esposito (-81 kg, Fiamme Azzurre), Manuel Parlati (-81 kg, Fiamme Oro), Kenny Bedel (-90 kg, Fiamme Oro), and Gennaro Pirelli (-100 kg, Oro). Additional athletes will slot into the lineup for the mixed team event.
Broadcast and Streaming Coverage for Italian Viewers
Fans following the tournament from Italy have access to comprehensive coverage of the final blocks, which kick off daily at 16:00 local time. Broadcast rights are shared between state television and satellite platform Sky, complemented by digital streaming options.
Sky Sport and NOW Programming Schedule
Sky’s coverage of the finals in Baku is led by commentary pairing GianMario Bonzi and former Italian judo standout Ylenia Scapin. From Sunday, Oct. 4 through Tuesday, Oct. 6, broadcasts air live from 16:00 to 17:30 on Sky Sport Arena (channel 204). Coverage shifts starting Wednesday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 11, moving to Sky Sport Max (channel 206) during the same 16:00 to 17:30 window, with simultaneous streaming available on NOW.
Rai Sport and RaiPlay Transmission Details
Italian public television carries the decisive stages of the championships with technical commentary from Fabrizio Tumbarello and Luigi Guido. The schedule across Rai platforms varies by day:
- Sunday, Oct. 4: Live on RaiPlay from 16:00 to 17:30; tape-delayed on Rai Sport at 22:30.
- Monday, Oct. 5: Live on RaiPlay from 16:00 to 17:30; live on Rai Sport starting around 16:45.
- Tuesday, Oct. 6: Live on RaiPlay from 16:00 to 17:30; live on Rai Sport starting around 16:50.
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: Live on RaiPlay from 16:00 to 17:30; tape-delayed on Rai Sport at 17:40.
- Thursday, Oct. 8: Live on RaiPlay from 16:00 to 17:30; live on Rai Sport starting around 16:50.
- Friday, Oct. 9: Live on Rai Sport from 16:00 to 17:30.
- Saturday, Oct. 10: Live on Rai Sport from 16:00 to 17:30.
- Sunday, Oct. 11 (Mixed Team): Live on Rai Sport from 16:00 to approximately 17:20.
In addition to traditional television broadcasts, subscribers can access full live streaming of all tournament mats through Judo TV.
