The International Federation of Sport Climbing –IFSC– will host the first edition of the Nations Grand Finale from 23 to 26 October in Fukuoka, Japan. The event will feature national teams competing in Boulder and Lead, bringing together six countries —Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and the United States— in an invitational showcase designed to blend strategy, teamwork, and spectacle at the close of the international season.
While competition climbing has traditionally been an individual sport, its practice is often collective by nature. In the mountains or indoor gyms, climbers—both amateur and professional—train in groups, share beta, and support one another, reflecting the sense of community that defines climbing beyond the stopwatch and the competition wall.
First experimental event in 2021
The new format revives an idea first tested by the IFSC in 2021, when a Mixed Team Boulder event took place in Salt Lake City, USA. That exhibition allowed coaches to play an active role in shaping strategy and kept the action constant for spectators. “With a team competition, there is always something happening on the field of play; from a spectator’s point of view, there’s always something to watch,” explained Alessandro Di Cato, IFSC Event Officer, reflecting on that first experience.
Athletes also welcomed the experiment. “It was a super good event! It’s really motivating to climb with and for your team… it’s a very fun format,” recalled Belgian climber Simon Lorenzi, one of the participants. After that debut, the IFSC took time to gather feedback and determine the right moment to reintroduce the concept. Four years later, the idea returns with a broader scope and a more structured design.
A comeback with new elements
The Nations Grand Finale 2025 will feature two disciplines —Boulder and Lead— with teams composed of two men, two women, and one coach. The format removes traditional isolation rules and allows athletes to communicate during competition. In Boulder, each round will include a final “mixed” problem climbed by one male and one female athlete, while in Lead, coaches will decide which climbers tackle each route and in what order.
The tactical involvement of coaches and the visible interaction between athletes offer a different reading of the sport—one that highlights teamwork, communication, and shared decision-making. According to the organisers, the format reflects climbing’s global growth and its evolution toward broader audiences.
The collective spirit of an individual sport
With this initiative, the IFSC is embracing a model that combines cooperation, strategy, and live entertainment. As more nations develop solid training structures and a full international calendar, the team format emerges as a way to enhance visibility while preserving the essence of competitive climbing.
The Nations Grand Finale will take place from 23 to 26 October at the Fukuoka International Center. Elimination and final rounds will be streamed live on the official IFSC YouTube channel, offering separate podiums for each discipline and featuring some of the top climbers on the global circuit.
