TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei will host the 2026 World Indoor Tug-of-War Championships from March 12 to 15 at Taipei Arena, marking the first time Taiwan has staged the event, organizers said Tuesday.

At a press conference, the Taipei City Department of Sports and the Taiwan Tug-of-War Association said the International Tug-of-War Federation authorized Taiwan to host the event for the first time, per CNA.

Organizers said 150 teams from 15 countries will compete in the four-day tournament. More than 1,000 athletes, coaches, and support staff are expected to attend.

Taiwan won the right to host the championships after representatives of the federation’s member associations voted by video conference in 2021. Officials from the International Tug-of-War Federation later visited Taiwan to inspect preparations and provide professional advice on competition and venue arrangements.

The Taipei City Sports Bureau said Taiwanese teams have achieved strong results in recent international competitions, and holding the event at home will allow fans to cheer them on.

Taiwan’s top-ranked squad competes in the women’s 500-kilogram team category. The team claimed an unprecedented sixth consecutive title at the World Games held most recently in Chengdu in 2025; won four straight World Outdoor Tug-of-War Championships, most recently in the UK in 2025; and secured three consecutive World Indoor Tug-of-War Championships, with the last title in Sweden in 2024.

Taiwan’s men’s 600-kilogram team also won acclaim with its first gold medal at the 2024 World Indoor Tug-of-War Championships in Sweden, defeating strong European opponents and underscoring Taiwan’s rising status in the sport.