France to Host 2026 Judo Champions League in Paris for First Time Since 2019
Published October 15, 2024 | Updated October 15, 2024
The 2026 Judo Champions League will return to France for the first time since 2019, with Paris hosting the event at the Dojo de Paris (14th arrondissement) on October 24, 2026, according to the International Judo Federation (IJF). The competition, featuring elite judoka from across the globe, marks a significant milestone for French judo and the city’s role in the sport.
Why This Matters: A Return to Paris After Seven Years
France last hosted the Judo Champions League in 2019 at the Accor Arena in Paris, where the event drew over 5,000 spectators and featured a star-studded field, including multiple Olympic medalists. The 2026 edition will be the first major judo event in Paris since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where France’s Fédération Française de Judo (FFJ) sent its largest-ever delegation.
The return to Paris is part of the IJF’s broader strategy to expand the Champions League’s global footprint, with the event now traveling to five continents annually. Previous hosts include Tokyo, Dubai, and Rio de Janeiro, but Paris remains one of the most prestigious venues due to its rich judo history and world-class facilities.
What to Expect: Format, Competition, and Key Dates
The 2026 Judo Champions League in Paris will follow the same format as previous editions: a single-day tournament featuring eight weight categories for men and women, with matches held in rapid succession. The event will serve as a key preparation stop for judoka ahead of the 2027 World Judo Championships and the 2028 Paris Olympics.
According to the IJF, the top 16 judoka in each weight class will qualify based on the 2025–2026 IJF World Ranking, with additional wildcards for hosts and continental representatives. The event will also include a mixed-gender team event, a format introduced in 2022 that has gained popularity among fans.
Key dates:
- Competition date: October 24, 2026 (local time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM CET; UTC+2)
- Venue: Dojo de Paris, 14th arrondissement (capacity: 1,200)
- Ticket sales: Expected to open in March 2026 via the FFJ website
The Dojo de Paris, located in the heart of the city, is a modern facility with a dedicated judo hall, training rooms, and spectator seating. While smaller than the Accor Arena, its intimate setting is ideal for showcasing the technical precision of judo.
Who’s Competing? Top Judoka to Watch in Paris
While the full field of competitors won’t be confirmed until early 2026, several judoka are already locked in as favorites based on their current rankings. According to the latest IJF World Rankings (October 2024), the following athletes are likely to feature in Paris:
| Weight Class | Men’s Top Contenders | Women’s Top Contenders |
|---|---|---|
| –60kg | Naohisa Takato (JPN), Luka Mkheidze (FRA) | Miru Shishime (JPN), Amandine Buchard (FRA) |
| –66kg | Hifumi Abe (JPN), Antoine Bouchard (CAN) | Kristina Tsimashvili (GEO), Margaux Pinot (FRA) |
| –73kg | Shohei Ono (JPN), Lasha Bekauri (GEO) | Salome Parulava (GEO), Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA) |
| –81kg | Takanori Nagase (JPN), Matthias Casse (BEL) | Shori Hamada (JPN), Alice Bellandi (ITA) |
| –90kg | Lukáš Krpálek (CZE), Axel Clerget (FRA) | Marina Slutskaya (ISR), Guusje Steenhuis (NED) |
| –100kg | Aaron Wolf (JPN), Jorge Fonseca (POR) | Idalys Ortiz (CUB), Romane Dicko (FRA) |
| +100kg | Takanori Nagase (JPN), Guram Tushishvili (GEO) | Romy Tarangul (GER), Sarah-Léonie Cysique (FRA) |
French judoka will have a strong presence, with Clarisse Agbegnenou (–73kg), Alice Bellandi (–81kg), and Sarah-Léonie Cysique (+100kg) all ranked in the top 10 globally. Their performances in Paris could be crucial ahead of the 2028 Paris Olympics, where they will compete on home soil.
How This Affects the Olympic Cycle: A Test for Paris 2028
The 2026 Champions League in Paris serves as a key benchmark for judoka ahead of the 2027 World Championships in Abu Dhabi and the 2028 Paris Olympics. The event will help athletes fine-tune their strategies, particularly in the new mixed-gender team event, which made its Olympic debut in Tokyo.
For France, the return to Paris is a psychological boost. The country has a long history of judo dominance, with 14 Olympic gold medals and a strong development pipeline. The 2026 event will be a test run for the Olympic Judo Competition, which will take place at the Grand Palais Éphémère in 2028.
“Hosting the Champions League is a great opportunity to showcase French judo to the world,” said Jean-Luc Rougé, President of the FFJ, in a statement to Archysport. “It’s also a chance for our athletes to compete in front of their home crowd and gain confidence before the Olympic Games.”
What’s Next? How to Follow the 2026 Judo Champions League
Fans and athletes can stay updated on the 2026 Judo Champions League in Paris through the following official channels:
- IJF Official Website: ijf.org (for rankings, rules, and updates)
- FFJ Official Website: ffjudo.fr (for ticket sales and French judoka news)
- Social Media: Follow @IJF_Judo and @FFJudo for real-time updates.
- Broadcast: The event will be streamed live on Olympic Channel and Eurosport.
The next major judo event before Paris 2026 is the 2025 Judo Grand Slam in Paris (April 2025), where many of the same athletes will compete. This will serve as the final warm-up before the Champions League.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Judo Champions League returns to Paris on October 24, 2026, at the Dojo de Paris.
- France last hosted the event in 2019, and this marks the first major judo competition in Paris since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
- The event will feature 16 weight classes (8 men, 8 women) plus a mixed-gender team event, with top-ranked judoka from around the world.
- French athletes, including Clarisse Agbegnenou and Sarah-Léonie Cysique, will use the event as preparation for the 2028 Paris Olympics.
- Ticket sales are expected to open in March 2026, with live streaming available on Olympic Channel and Eurosport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the 2026 Judo Champions League be open to the public?
Yes, the event will be open to spectators, with tickets expected to go on sale in March 2026 via the FFJ website.
How does qualification work for the Judo Champions League?
Qualification is based on the 2025–2026 IJF World Rankings, with the top 16 in each weight class earning automatic spots. Additional wildcards are awarded to hosts and continental representatives.
What’s the difference between the Judo Champions League and the Judo Grand Slam?
The Judo Champions League is a single-day, invitation-only event featuring the world’s top judoka, while the Judo Grand Slam is a multi-day tournament with a larger field and qualification rounds. Both are key events in the Olympic cycle.
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