The 2026 IPF World Classic Open Championships are no longer in Dubai. The International Powerlifting Federation has relocated the competition to Druskininkai, Lithuania, with dates holding at June 13 through 21, 2026.
I had a client who qualified for this meet. When the announcement dropped, the first question was about flights. The second was about hotels. The third was whether the venue could handle a competition of this size. All fair questions.
The short answer on that last one: Druskininkai already proved it can. The same city hosted the 2024 IPF World Classic Championships, where 318 athletes from 57 countries competed and more than 70 world records fell. It also hosted the 2023 World Equipped Championships. The venue, the logistics infrastructure, and the local organizing committee have all done this before.
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Why the IPF Moved the Competition
The IPF Executive Committee conducted a risk assessment of the situation in the United Arab Emirates and the surrounding region. After consulting with stakeholders, they decided relocation was the safest course of action for athletes, officials, and all participating delegations.
Reigning U74KG IPF World Champion Austin Perkins publicly supported the decision, thanking the federation for prioritizing the wellbeing of lifters, judges, coaches, and spectators. That kind of response from a current world champion carries weight. When the athletes themselves endorse the move, it tells you the federation made the right call.
What Stays the Same
The competition dates are unchanged. June 13 through 21, 2026. If your peaking block was already mapped to those dates, your training timeline stays intact.
The IPF has also confirmed that further details on the venue, accommodation, and Local Organizing Committee will be circulated to member nations. That information will follow the same channels it always does, through your national federation.
What Competitors Need to Do Now
If you qualified for this meet, the logistics shift is real. Dubai and Lithuania are two very different travel profiles, especially for North American lifters.
Cancel or rebook any flights and hotel reservations tied to Dubai. Druskininkai is a small spa town in southern Lithuania, accessible through Vilnius International Airport (about 130 km away). In 2024, the IPF's official hotels included the Europa Royale Druskininkai and Grand SPA Lietuvos. Official hotel bookings for 2026 will be coordinated through your national federation once the IPF releases the updated invitation, so watch for that communication.
Time zone adjustments change too. Dubai is UTC+4. Lithuania is UTC+3 in summer (EEST). For lifters traveling from North America, that is a meaningful difference in jet lag management compared to the original plan. Build an extra buffer day into your arrival if you can.
If you are new to competing at this level, our guide on how to qualify for IPF Worlds breaks down the full pathway from local meets to national team selection. And if you want to avoid the most common meet-day mistakes, read through our breakdown of the avoidable mistakes that ruin powerlifting competitions before you go.
Why Druskininkai Is a Strong Venue
Lithuania is not a backup option. It is a proven host for world-level powerlifting.
The 2024 Classic Worlds in Druskininkai drew 318 athletes from 57 countries. Team USA won the team award for both men and women. Austin Perkins and Sonita Muluh took the Best Lifter awards. The competition was broadcast on Eurosport and CBS Sports. Over 70 world records were broken across the nine days of competition.
The venue (LSC sporto kompleksas, on M.K. ฤiurlionio street) handled that volume without issue. The crowd atmosphere was electric. For lifters who competed there in 2024, this is a return to familiar ground. For first-timers, the environment will meet the standard you expect from a World Championship.
Meet Prep Does Not Stop at the Platform
One thing I remind my athletes: the logistics around a meet matter as much as the training. A perfect peaking block means nothing if you show up sleep-deprived, dehydrated from travel, or scrambling for accommodation.
With the relocation confirmed, here is what I would prioritize right now:
Lock in flights to Vilnius as early as possible. Druskininkai is a small town, and hotel availability near the venue gets tight once teams start booking. Coordinate with your national federation on official hotel blocks. Plan your nutrition and food sourcing for the trip. And review your attempt selection strategy so you are not making those decisions under stress on meet day.
The lifters who perform best at Worlds are the ones who treat the logistics with the same discipline they bring to their programming.
For Fans and Spectators
If you were planning to attend in Dubai, you will need to rebook for Lithuania. The good news is that Druskininkai is a much more accessible and affordable destination for European and North American spectators than Dubai would have been.
The IPF typically streams World Championships live on their YouTube channel, with select sessions broadcast on Eurosport. If you cannot attend in person, the coverage will still be available.
We will continue covering the 2026 IPF World Classic Open Championships as more details are released. The official statement is available on the IPF website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the 2026 IPF World Classic Open Championships?
The competition runs from June 13 through 21, 2026. These dates have not changed despite the venue relocation.
Where are the 2026 IPF Worlds being held?
The 2026 IPF World Classic Open Championships will take place in Druskininkai, Lithuania. The competition was originally scheduled for Dubai but was relocated by the IPF Executive Committee.
Why were the 2026 IPF Worlds moved from Dubai?
The IPF cited safety concerns following a risk assessment of the current situation in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding region. The decision prioritized the wellbeing of athletes, officials, and all participating delegations.
Has Druskininkai hosted IPF World Championships before?
Yes. Druskininkai hosted the 2024 IPF World Classic Open Championships and the 2023 World Equipped Championships. The 2024 event drew 318 athletes from 57 countries and saw over 70 world records broken.
How do you qualify for IPF Worlds?
Qualification runs through your national federation. In the United States, lifters must compete at a Powerlifting America national championship and meet team selection criteria. The process varies by country, but it always starts at the national level. Our full guide on how to qualify for IPF Worlds covers the step-by-step pathway.
Will the competition schedule change because of the relocation?
No. The IPF has confirmed that the June 2026 dates remain unchanged. The schedule is designed to minimize disruption for athletes who are already deep into their competition prep.
Where can I find official updates on the 2026 IPF World Championships?
The IPF posts all official updates on their website at powerlifting.sport and on their official Instagram account. Your national federation will also distribute venue, hotel, and logistics information once it becomes available.
