The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne -UIPM-, together with the Lithuanian Modern Pentathlon Federation -LMPF-, is hosting the 2025 Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Kaunas. The competition will take place from 26 to 30 August 2025 at the Zalgirio Arena, bringing together top international delegations in an event designed to showcase the new format of Modern Pentathlon on a global stage.

Modern Pentathlon is undergoing a period of transformation and consolidation. The UIPM has created a 90-minute programme that condenses the intensity of all five disciplines. This shift represents an evolution from the previous five-day championships, while preserving the essence of the sport conceived by Pierre de Coubertin and adapting it to a broader audience.

Tribute to the pioneer

The President of the UIPM reflected on the season, noting that “it has been a long, hot summer in the northern hemisphere, with events that left their mark.” On 23 June, he attended the handover of the International Olympic Committee -IOC- presidency from Thomas Bach to Kirsty Coventry, during Olympic Day. In that speech, the figure of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Olympic Movement, was highlighted, and he will be honoured on Pierre de Coubertin Pentathlon Day on 9 September.

The calendar also featured key competitions such as the Junior World Championships in Hungary, which saw a record participation of nearly 200 athletes, as well as a double event in Egypt with the World Cup Final and the World Relay Championships. This was followed by the U17 World Championships in Johannesburg (South Africa), held in the local winter, providing athletes with very favourable conditions.

Innovation to build an attractive product

The World Championships in Kaunas will be the first to adopt the new format, introducing direct elimination in Fencing and the brand-new Obstacle discipline, alongside Swimming and the Laser Run. “Kaunas is the first major opportunity to show how we have turned a page and how our athletes are embracing a faster and more exciting competition,” the organisation stated.

The chosen venue, the Zalgirio Arena, is set to deliver a world-class experience that goes beyond sporting results. The UIPM emphasises that the goal is to position Modern Pentathlon as an attractive product for live spectators and digital audiences alike, with an approach increasingly focused on entertainment.

An experience designed to engage audiences

Organisers stress that innovation is not limited to the sporting format but also extends to the show’s presentation. In Budapest, for instance, athletes entered the arena to the sound of ‘Thunderstruck’ by AC/DC, sparking an enthusiastic response from fans. “We want Pentathlon to be experienced as a total spectacle: the sights, the sounds, the atmosphere of the venue and even the local gastronomy are part of what we offer to the audience,” added the UIPM.

The evolution of Modern Pentathlon aims to develop new stars and attract younger audiences. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, the Kaunas World Championships stand as a decisive showcase for the future of the sport.