The 2026 European Junior and U23 Weightlifting Championships will take place from 12 to 19 October in Durrës, Albania. The European Weightlifting Federation -EWF- has selected the FAFA Hotel as the official competition venue for an event that will bring together athletes aged between 15 and 23 over eight days. The programme will award men’s and women’s continental titles in the two main age groups leading towards senior weightlifting.
The EWF turned to Albania after cancelling the event initially scheduled to take place in Poland, which was unable to provide the access guarantees required for all member federations. Durrës offered established infrastructure, international experience and the capacity to take over the organisation. The Federation considers the city “one of Europe’s most recognisable weightlifting destinations” because of the quality of its previous championships and the hospitality offered to athletes, teams and officials. Preparations are progressing in accordance with the calendar approved by the EWF.
Four previous editions consolidate Durrës as a host
The relationship began with the 2008 European Junior Championships and continued with the combined Junior and U23 editions in 2017, 2022 and 2025. The competition in October will therefore be the fifth event of this level held in Durrës. The Ramazan Njala Sports Palace hosted most of the previous competitions and welcomed 342 participants in 2022: 198 junior athletes from 31 countries and 144 U23 weightlifters representing 30 delegations.
The FAFA Hotel will now expand the second organisational hub developed in the tourist area of Golem, near Durrës. The complex previously hosted the IWF World Youth Championships organised by the International Weightlifting Federation -IWF- in 2023 and served as the accommodation and training centre during the 2025 European Championships. It has also hosted masters competitions and the revived Balkan Senior Championships. In 2026, it will bring accommodation, preparation and the European competition itself together at the same site for the first time, reducing travel requirements for the delegations.
Thirty-two categories for athletes aged 15 to 23
The European Junior Championships will be open to weightlifters born between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2011, covering athletes aged between 15 and 20. The U23 competition will bring together those born between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005. Both age groups will share eight women’s bodyweight categories —49kg, 53kg, 57kg, 61kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg and over 86kg— and eight men’s categories —60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 85kg, 95kg, 110kg and over 110kg—.
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in the snatch, clean and jerk and total in each of the 32 categories. Results from the two lifts will jointly determine each participant’s overall classification. Trophies will also be presented to the leading male and female weightlifters and the top six teams in the men’s and women’s standings, in accordance with the IWF team classification system. Every participant will also receive a diploma.
A venue associated with international records
Previous championships have produced several international records in the city. At the 2022 European Championships, Nina Sterckx of Belgium set junior world records in the clean and jerk and total in the 55kg category. In 2025, Albania’s Enkileda Carja established new world records in the same two disciplines in the women’s 63kg competition. That edition also finished with at least one European record in every junior bodyweight category, according to the EWF’s event report.
The event will be organised by the EWF and the Albanian Weightlifting Federation, which has established Durrës as the country’s main international centre for the sport. Its confirmation coincides with the selection of Antalya, Türkiye, as the host of the 2027 European Senior Weightlifting Championships, scheduled for 11 to 18 April. The Federation has therefore secured two of its leading events in cities with previous experience, specialist facilities and organisational structures capable of regularly welcoming European delegations.
Last related articles
