World Rowing once again turns its attention to the sea to project the future of one of its youngest and most vibrant disciplines. The international federation confirmed that the World Beach Sprint Rowing Finals and the 2027 Coastal Rowing Championships will be held in Oeiras, Portugal, while the 2028 edition will take place in Antalya, Turkey, consolidating both destinations as key references in the global development of coastal rowing.
The decision, adopted by the World Rowing Council, is not based solely on logistical criteria. Behind the choice lies a long-term strategic vision that combines organizational expertise, natural conditions and a sustained commitment to a discipline that is moving steadily toward its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, redefining the relationship between high performance and coastal venues.
Oeiras 2027: a turning point on the road to Los Angeles 2028
The 2027 edition in Oeiras will carry unprecedented symbolic and sporting significance. For the first time, the event will serve as an Olympic qualification regatta for beach sprint rowing, marking the discipline’s definitive entry into the Olympic Games program. The Portuguese coast, which previously welcomed the international coastal rowing community in 2021, will become a stage where the Olympic dream begins to take shape for athletes from around the world.
With Olympic places at stake, the competition is expected to reach the highest level of intensity and attract unprecedented media attention for the discipline. The selection of Oeiras also reflects confidence in its ability to host top-level events, offering a setting that blends maritime tradition, consolidated infrastructure and a natural closeness between spectators and sporting action.
Antalya 2028: continuity, growth and global projection
Antalya, meanwhile, will ensure continuity in the competitive cycle in 2028 after successfully hosting the World Beach Sprint Rowing Finals in 2025. Its return to the calendar reaffirms Turkey’s role as an emerging hub for coastal rowing, with ideal conditions for high performance and a clear ambition to position the sport in iconic coastal settings.
The President of World Rowing, Jean-Christophe Rolland, noted that the allocation of the hosts reflects both confidence in the organizers and a long-term vision for the development of Beach Sprint Rowing. At the same time, the discipline continues to grow, driven by a dynamic, accessible and audience-friendly format, while advancing along its Olympic pathway, which includes participation in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and a strategy focused on expanding global participation and strengthening the organizational quality of its events.
