Karate at Tirana 2026
Everything you need for the Karate competition at the European Universities Combat Sports Championships Tirana 2026 — schedule, venue, categories, regulations and logistics.
Programme
The detailed daily allocation of categories to competition days will be published following confirmation of the final entries.
Documents to download and fill out
Required declarations for Karate participants. Complete and submit as part of the accreditation process.
General Technical Meeting
"Liria" Building, Qyteti Studenti
Attendance is compulsory for the Head of Delegation or another authorised representative from every participating university. Final technical decisions, category-day allocation, referee arrangements and instructions communicated during the GTM will be binding.
Key locations
| Service | Location |
|---|---|
| Participant Accommodation | City of Students Dormitories — Qyteti Studenti, Tirana |
| Competition Venue | University of Sports of Tirana |
| Accreditation Centre | Qyteti Studenti, Tirana |
| General Technical Meeting | "Liria" Building, Qyteti Studenti |
| Training & Warm-up | University of Sports of Tirana (final details TBA) |
| Catering Area | Catering Tent, Qyteti Studenti |
| Opening Ceremony | Skanderbeg Square & Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard |
| Main Information Centre | Qyteti Studenti |
Accommodation
All registered participants will be accommodated at the City of Students Dormitories — Qyteti Studenti, a university residential campus in Tirana. Participants will primarily stay in shared two-person bedrooms or four-person residential units with shared bathroom and shower facilities. Free Wi-Fi will be available throughout the accommodation area.
Participants must first complete accreditation before receiving their room key card. Those departing later may leave luggage in the designated storage area at reception.
EUSA representatives, technical delegates, referees and designated officials will be accommodated separately in selected four-star hotels in Tirana. Final hotel assignments will be communicated directly before the Championships.
Competition venue
The competition venue will include tatami competition areas for Kumite and Kata, athlete warm-up zones, equipment-control and last-call areas, referee and technical-official rooms, medical and first-aid services, competition-management and results areas, spectator seating, media and VIP areas, and accreditation-controlled access. The final number of tatami and the venue layout will be confirmed by the Organising Committee and the EUSA Technical Delegate before the event.
Training and warm-up
Training and warm-up facilities will be available at the University of Sports of Tirana. The final training locations, operating hours, booking procedure and transport arrangements will be communicated through the Accreditation Centre, the General Technical Meeting, the official Karate WhatsApp group and event information points. Warm-up areas inside the competition venue will be reserved primarily for athletes preparing for their scheduled contests.
Accreditation Centre
The Accreditation Centre will be located at Qyteti Studenti, Tirana, and will serve participants from all four sports. The final operating hours will be announced by the Organising Committee.
Only the Head of Delegation, or another officially authorised university representative, should complete accreditation for the entire university team. Partial team accreditation is not permitted.
Required documents
- Athletes: Passport or national identity card; EUSA Certificate of Academic Eligibility for active students; university proof and graduation date for former students; signed declaration of liability.
- Officials: Passport or identity card; Individual Entry Form.
- Head of Delegation: Signed accommodation policy.
Accreditation card
The Accreditation Card is the only official access document for participants. It must remain clearly visible at accommodation facilities, competition venues, catering areas, ceremonies, official transport and restricted event zones. The card is personalised and non-transferable. Lost cards must be reported personally at the Accreditation Centre with a passport or valid ID.
Transportation
The official arrival and departure points are Tirana International Airport "Nënë Tereza" (TIA) and Tirana East Bus Terminal. Official shuttle routes: Airport ↔ Qyteti Studenti and East Bus Terminal ↔ Qyteti Studenti.
Transportation is available only to participants, officials and EUSA representatives registered in the official event system. Transport from private accommodation, other airports or unofficial locations will not be organised or financed by the Organising Committee.
Dedicated buses or other official arrangements will connect Qyteti Studenti with the University of Sports of Tirana on competition days.
Catering
Full-board catering will be provided for accredited participants from dinner on the official arrival day through breakfast on the departure day.
| Meal | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 07:00–10:00 | Catering Tent, Qyteti Studenti |
| Lunch | 12:00–14:30 | University of Sports of Tirana |
| Dinner | 18:00–20:00 | Catering Tent, Qyteti Studenti |
Dietary requirements — including allergies, food intolerances and religious restrictions — must be submitted in advance through the official registration system. Participants may be required to present their Accreditation Card when accessing catering services.
Opening Ceremony
Skanderbeg Square & Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard
Arrive at the meeting point by 18:00 — assembly on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, between Taiwan Centre and the Bank of Albania. Official university or team uniform required; at least one representative per university must join the procession; Accreditation Card must be worn visibly.
International regulations
The Karate Championship will be conducted primarily according to the latest regulations of the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the European Karate Federation (EKF), in combination with the EUSA Rules and Regulations for European Universities Championships 2026. Final technical requirements will be communicated through the official competition bulletin and the General Technical Meeting.
Competition categories
Competition format
| Competition | Format |
|---|---|
| Kumite (Individual) | Single Elimination with Repechage |
| Kata Individual | Elimination System with Flags (WKF) |
| Kata Team | Elimination System with Flags & Bunkai from Semi-Finals |
Kumite match duration follows the current WKF regulations. The Competition Technical Commission may adjust the final format according to the number of accredited athletes. The draw will be done in the presence of an EUSA Representative, taking into account EUSA Karate, WKF and EKF rankings. Athletes from the same university will, whenever possible, be placed on opposite sides of the draw.
Weigh-in
The official Kumite weigh-in will take place on the day before the Kumite competition. A change of category may only be permitted when allowed under the applicable EUSA and WKF regulations. A random weigh-in may also be conducted on the morning of each Kumite competition day. The definitive procedure, schedule, clothing requirements and tolerance rules will be presented during the GTM.
Uniforms and equipment
Athletes must wear a white karategi and all safety equipment must comply with the current WKF requirements — approved manufacturers, correct colours (one red, one blue), correct sizes and no illegal modifications. Karategi and equipment control may be conducted before contests.
Athletes must bring their own
- White karategi complying with WKF rules
- Red and blue WKF-approved belts
- Red and blue WKF-approved hand protectors (mitts)
- Red and blue WKF-approved shin protectors and instep guards
- Mouthguard
- Groin guard (compulsory for men — optional for women)
- Chest protector (compulsory for women)
- Any additional compulsory personal protective equipment required by WKF
Equipment that does not meet the applicable regulations may prevent an athlete from competing until the issue has been resolved.
Award ceremonies
Medals will be awarded to first, second and both third-place athletes in every Kumite and Kata category. University cups will be presented to the leading Kumite and Kata university teams.
Athletes must attend the ceremony in the clothing specified by the Organising Committee and protocol team. Participants should not enter the podium wearing shorts, flip-flops, sunglasses or unauthorised headwear. National, university or other flags should not be brought onto the podium unless specifically authorised by the ceremony organisers.
Competition officials
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| EUSA Technical Delegate | TBA |
| EUSA Assistant Technical Delegate | TBA |
| OC Technical Delegate | TBA |
| Head Referee | TBA |
| Competition Management Coordinator | TBA |
| Local Technical Assistant | TBA |
Information Centre
The main Information Centre will be located at Qyteti Studenti and will normally operate daily from 09:00 to 14:00. Hours may be extended according to operational requirements. Competition Offices or Information Points will also operate at the University of Sports of Tirana on competition days.
For general, transport, accommodation, catering or operational enquiries: combatsports2026@eusa.eu
WhatsApp & socials
Join the official Karate WhatsApp group for direct updates, coordination and news throughout the competition.
Scan the QR code or use the link below to join the Karate group chat directly.
Click the QR image or the link above to go straight to the group chat.