Taekwondo at Tirana 2026
Everything you need for the Taekwondo competition at the European Universities Combat Sports Championships Tirana 2026 — schedule, venue, categories, regulations and logistics.
WT G1 ranking status
EUSA Taekwondo event granted G1 status
The Taekwondo competition has officially received G1 ranking status from World Taekwondo — athletes will earn official World Taekwondo Ranking points.
Programme
The detailed allocation of Kyorugi categories between 10 and 11 September will be published following confirmation of the final entries.
Documents to download and fill out
Required declarations for Taekwondo 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. All final technical decisions, competition updates and instructions communicated during the GTM will be binding on participating delegations.
Key locations
| Service | Location |
|---|---|
| Participant Accommodation | City of Students Dormitories — Qyteti Studenti, Tirana |
| Competition Venue | Tirana Olympic Park — Feti Borova, Tirana |
| Accreditation Centre | Qyteti Studenti, Tirana |
| General Technical Meeting | "Liria" Building, Qyteti Studenti |
| Training & Warm-up | Qyteti Studenti and Feti Borova Olympic Park (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 venue will include Kyorugi and Poomsae competition areas, 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 zones. The final venue layout and number of competition areas will be communicated before the event.
Training and warm-up
Official training and warm-up opportunities will be available close to the accommodation area and at Feti Borova Olympic Park. The final training locations, schedules, booking procedure and transport arrangements will be communicated through the Accreditation Centre, the General Technical Meeting, the official Taekwondo 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 competition venue. Final schedules and meeting points will be distributed at accreditation and displayed at information points.
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 | Feti Borova Olympic Park |
| 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 Taekwondo Championship will be conducted primarily according to the latest regulations of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), World Taekwondo Europe (WTE) and World Taekwondo (WT). Final technical requirements will be communicated through the official competition bulletin and the General Technical Meeting.
Competition categories
Competition format
| Competition | Format |
|---|---|
| Kyorugi | Single Elimination — Best of Three |
| Recognised Poomsae | Single Elimination — Side by Side |
| Free Style Poomsae | Cut-Off System |
Kyorugi contests are expected to consist of three rounds of two minutes, with a one-minute rest between rounds, subject to the World Taekwondo rules in force. Instant Video Replay will be applied according to the latest World Taekwondo 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 Taekwondo, WT and WTE rankings.
Weigh-in
The official weigh-in for each Kyorugi category will take place on the day before the relevant competition. A change of category may only be permitted when allowed under the applicable EUSA and World Taekwondo regulations. A random weigh-in may also be conducted on the morning of each Kyorugi competition day. The definitive procedure, schedule, clothing requirements and tolerance rules will be presented during the GTM.
Protector and scoring system
The official Protector and Scoring System will be confirmed by the Organising Committee. The Organising Committee will provide the compatible electronic body protectors and electronic head protectors.
Athletes must bring their own
- Compatible electronic sensor socks
- Approved forearm guards
- Approved shin guards
- Approved groin protection
- Protective gloves
- Mouthguard
- Any additional compulsory personal protective equipment required by World Taekwondo
Equipment that does not meet the applicable regulations may prevent an athlete from competing until the issue has been resolved.
Uniforms
Athletes must wear a World Taekwondo-approved competition uniform and all required protective equipment. University identification may be displayed in accordance with EUSA and World Taekwondo requirements. Any national symbols, country abbreviations, flags or commercial markings must comply with the final event branding and technical regulations. Detailed uniform-control requirements will be confirmed in the technical bulletin and during the GTM.
Award ceremonies
Medals will be awarded to first, second and both third-place athletes. University cups will be presented to the leading Kyorugi and Poomsae 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 | Dr Nuri M. Shirali |
| EUSA Assistant Technical Delegate | Ms Johanna Bliem |
| OC Technical Delegate | Mr Holtion Orhani |
| 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 Feti Borova Olympic Park on competition days.
For general, transport, accommodation, catering or operational enquiries: combatsports2026@eusa.eu
WhatsApp & socials
Join the official Taekwondo WhatsApp group for direct updates, coordination and news throughout the competition.
Scan the QR code or use the link below to join the Taekwondo group chat directly.
Click the QR image or the link above to go straight to the group chat.