WAKO Europe Board of Directors in pleased to inform you of the following decision, regarding the previously announced participation of Kickboxing in the next edition of the European Games, that will take place between 16th and 27th June 2027 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
During this period, 3 days will be scheduled for Kickboxing competitions (dates to be defined).
The following selected disciplines have been approved by majority for the European Games 2027;
– Full Contact
– K-1
– Point Fighting
For each discipline 3 weight categories will be involved, for a total number of 144 Athletes (72 women and 72 men) – meaning 16 Athletes more compared to the last edition held in Kraków-Małopolska, Poland, in 2023.
As regards the qualification/selection process:
• Top eight athletes will be selected in the above weight classes following the results of the next European Championship 2026, in Skopje, North Macedonia.
• Replacement Framework. If athlete withdraws for any reason:
1) If no Turkish athlete in division Türkiye will be given first choice for replacement.
2) If Turkish athlete is already represented, then the WAKO European ranking list will be used and the top athlete from Europe NOT currently participating in the event will be offered the place. If they are unable it will move down the ranking until agreed.
Attention:
Please be aware that the qualified athletes will participate through their National Olympic Committees (NOCs), not directly as independent federation’s entries. We’ll come back with information about this after internal meetings with the EOC.
Costs:
The EOC Team will cover flights from the capital city of each participating NOC to Istanbul and back, full board and lodging expenses for up to 144 Athletes only.
As soon as possible WAKO Europe will come back with additional information regarding the required Number of Coaches (one coach per discipline per country), the Number of Referees (12 referees Ring, 12 referees Tatami + one chief referee) and related costs to be covered.
In case of any further information you may need please contact WAKO Europe Sport Director Ilija Salerno, who has been appointed as Technical Director of the next European Games 2027 sport.director@kickboxingeurope.com