Montgomery, United States and Duisburg, Germany will become key stops on the road to Los Angeles 2028 after the International Canoe Federation confirmed both venues as hosts of Olympic Ranking events.
The ICF Board of Directors have approved Montgomery as the host of next year’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Final.
It will be the last chance for slalom paddlers to secure all-important Olympic Ranking points in the bid to reach LA28.
Duisburg has secured the hosting rights for the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup in 2027, adding an Olympic Ranking event on the pathway to the Games.
The online ICF Board of Directors meeting on Friday also saw event allocations for Dragon Boat and Wildwater Canoeing.
Hangzhou, China has been named as the host of the 2026 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, while the 2027 ICF Dragon Boat Club Crew World Championships will head to Puerto Princesa, Philippines.
Graz, Austria has been awarded the 2027 Junior and U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships.
World Cup Series Confirmed
The approval of Montgomery completes the list of destinations for the five-leg 2027 Canoe Slalom World Cup Series.
Prague, Czechia will stage the World Cup opener from June 4 to 6 before Augsburg, Germany will play host from June 11 to 13.
Lee Valley, Great Britain will hold the third leg of the series from August 13 to 15.
It will be a return to the 2012 Olympic venue which hosted the World Championships in 2023 and last held a World Cup in 2019.
Pau, France also comes back into the World Cup Series fold in 2027, staging the fourth leg from August 20 to 22.
Double World Cup points will then be on offer in Montgomery from September 30 to October 3 as paddlers fight for overall series titles.
The final Olympic Ranking placings will also be determined in Montgomery.
“The American Canoe Association (ACA) is thrilled to partner with our friends at Montgomery Whitewater to host a 2027 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup,” said ACA Executive Director Beth Spilman.
“As one of the finest slalom venues in the world, Montgomery Whitewater provides an incredible stage for elite competition, and we look forward to welcoming athletes and visitors from across the globe.”
Canoe Sprint
Duisburg will stage the opening World Cup of the 2027 season from May 27 to 30.
Duisburg was the host of the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships and last staged a Canoe Sprint World Cup in 2019.
The venue has undergone a major refurbishment since holding the World Championships three years ago.
German Canoe Federation President Dajana Pefestorff said: “Canoe Sprint is coming back to the 'Wimbledon' of paddle sport.
“We are delighted that the Canoe Sprint World Cup 2027 has been awarded to Duisburg.
“The regatta course, which has just been extensively renovated, is ready to welcome the very best athletes in the world.
“It has long been one of the most renowned venues for international canoe sprint competitions.
“I would like to thank the International Canoe Federation for its trust, as well as all partners and the local organising team.
“We look forward to welcoming the international canoe family to Duisburg in 2027 for outstanding World Cup races.”
Dragon Boat
Hangzhou, China has sealed the hosting rights for the 2026 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships.
Competition is due to be held from September 30 to October 3.
International Dragon Boat action will return to Puerto Princesa, Philippines when it hosts the Club Crew World Championships from October 28 to 31 in 2027.
Puerto Princesa was the host of the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships.
Wildwater Canoeing
Another successful bid came from Graz as it was awarded the 2027 ICF Junior and U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships.
Classic and sprint titles will be on the line in the Austrian city with competition scheduled to be staged from August 17 to 21 in 2027.
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