World Beach Sambo Championships 2026: Dates, Location, and What to Know
The 2026 World Beach Sambo Championships take place on September 12, 2026 (individual competition) and September 13, 2026 (team competition) in Caraguatatuba, Brazil, organised by the International Sambo Federation (FIAS). This is the annual pinnacle event for beach sambo athletes globally, bringing together national teams to compete across four men's and four women's weight categories on sand. Whether you are preparing to compete, coaching an athlete through qualification, or following the international sambo calendar, here is everything confirmed for 2026.
In this article
- When and where are the 2026 championships?
- How does beach sambo competition work?
- Weight categories for 2026
- What gear do FIAS competitors need?
- How beach sambo became a world sport
- Frequently asked questions
When and where are the 2026 World Beach Sambo Championships?
The 2026 championships are scheduled for September 12-13, 2026 in Caraguatatuba, a coastal city in the São Paulo state of Brazil. September 12 hosts all individual weight category bouts. September 13 is reserved for team competition.
FIAS holds the World Beach Sambo Championships annually, rotating the host venue between continents. The 2026 edition marks the first time the event is held in South America, bringing international beach sambo competition to a new region and a new audience.
Caraguatatuba sits on Brazil's Atlantic coast roughly three hours from the city of São Paulo, offering the natural sand competition surfaces the sport requires.
How does beach sambo competition work?
Beach sambo is a standing grappling contest fought on sand. Each bout lasts three minutes. Victory goes to the athlete who executes a clean throw: the opponent must land on any part of their body except their feet. If no clean throw is scored in three minutes, the athlete who accumulated the most points wins on points.
The rules that define beach sambo and set it apart from standard sport sambo:
- Standing only. Once an athlete goes to the ground, the action resets. There is no ground wrestling, no mat work, and no submission attempts from a grounded position.
- No penalties. Unlike sport sambo, beach sambo does not use a penalty system to force action or punish passivity.
- Sand surface. All competition takes place on sand, not a mat. This changes footwork mechanics, throw entries, and balance demands significantly compared to standard sambo.
- Barefoot with ankle supports. Athletes wear no shoes. FIAS-approved ankle supports protect the joint without adding traction to the surface.
Weight categories for the 2026 championships
| Division | Weight categories |
|---|---|
| Men | Up to 58 kg, up to 71 kg, up to 88 kg, over 88 kg |
| Women | Up to 50 kg, up to 59 kg, up to 72 kg, over 72 kg |
Eight categories total across men's and women's divisions. Eligibility is managed through national sambo federations. Athletes compete representing their country, with entries submitted through their national association under FIAS affiliation guidelines.
What gear do FIAS beach sambo competitors wear?
FIAS beach sambo regulations specify a white sambovka jacket (the belted jacket with short sleeves distinctive to sambo), shorts, a belt, and ankle supports. Sambo shoes are not worn. Athletes compete barefoot on sand, using ankle supports for joint protection rather than the rigid sole of a standard sambo shoe.
This is worth emphasising for athletes who train in sport sambo with shoes: beach sambo on sand feels fundamentally different underfoot. Training barefoot with ankle supports on sand before competition is essential preparation, not just useful cross-training.
DSI Beach Sambo Jacket, Shorts, and Ankle Supports, all FIAS approved. Everything you need in one kit.
How beach sambo became a world sport
The first World Beach Sambo Championships was held in Larnaca, Cyprus, in August 2021. Eleven countries competed at the inaugural event. Russia dominated, winning six gold medals from the eight available weight categories across men's and women's divisions. The inaugural event demonstrated strong international appetite for the discipline and confirmed FIAS's appetite to develop it as an annual standalone championship.
FIAS introduced beach sambo to broaden the sport's global reach, particularly in coastal nations where outdoor grappling sports have strong roots. The discipline strips sambo back to its fundamental element: the throw. No ground work, no shoe advantage, just technical execution on an unpredictable surface where balance and timing matter more than brute strength.
Since 2021, beach sambo has grown steadily as a standalone discipline. National federations in Europe, Asia, and now South America have developed dedicated beach sambo programmes, and the annual championships have drawn growing participation with each edition.
For Australian athletes interested in beach sambo, the 2026 championships provide a clear competitive target with a two-month window to prepare. The September timing aligns well with the Australian winter training season.
The white sambovka cut jacket built for beach sambo competition. FIAS approved, sized by height and sleeve length.
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Frequently asked questions
When was the first World Beach Sambo Championship held?
The first World Beach Sambo Championships took place in Larnaca, Cyprus, in August 2021. Eleven countries participated, with Russia winning six of the eight available gold medals across men's and women's divisions.
Do beach sambo athletes wear shoes?
No. Beach sambo athletes compete barefoot on sand, wearing FIAS-approved ankle supports for joint protection. Sambo shoes are used in sport sambo and combat sambo but are not part of the beach sambo uniform.
What weight categories are used at the World Beach Sambo Championships?
Men compete at up to 58 kg, 71 kg, 88 kg, and over 88 kg. Women compete at up to 50 kg, 59 kg, 72 kg, and over 72 kg. These eight categories are standard across FIAS World Beach Sambo Championship events.
How do you qualify for the World Beach Sambo Championships?
Qualification is managed through national sambo federations affiliated with FIAS. Athletes must be members of a national federation and be selected or qualify through national trials. Contact your national sambo federation for entry requirements specific to the 2026 event.
Where can I find a guide to beach sambo rules and training?
See our full guide: What Is Beach Sambo? Rules, Gear, and Training Guide.
