World Boccia S​elects Birmingham and Lakeshore Foundation for International Competition in 2026

Birmingham, Alabama, has been chosen as the host city for the 2026 World Boccia Challenger from June 16–23, 2026, at Lakeshore Foundation, the Boccia International Sports Federation has announced.

The Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger event will bring together athletes from around the globe and will mark the first time since 2017 that the United States has hosted a world event for Boccia. The event is one of 11 scheduled for 2026 and will provide a critical opportunity for competitors to earn ranking points toward qualification for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

“Lakeshore’s selection to host an international event on our home soil gives us an opportunity to highlight the outstanding facilities at Lakeshore and it gives us a great opportunity to work with city leaders to show off Birmingham as a vibrant and accessible host city,” said Jen Allred, chief program officer at Lakeshore. “As the home for Boccia United States, we are excited for the opportunity.”

The competition places Birmingham alongside other cities such as Riyadh, Montreal and Seoul hosting boccia competitions in 2026. Boccia became a Paralympic sport in 1984 and is one of only two Paralympic sports without a parallel Olympic counterpart.

“It is our great honor to welcome the global boccia community to Birmingham,” said Dan Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham CVB. “Hosting this important and impactful event reinforces Birmingham’s reputation as a premier sports destination, and provides an incredible opportunity to showcase our city’s signature hospitality, world-class venues and vibrant culture. We’re grateful for our partners at Lakeshore Foundation and for our shared commitment to the unifying spirit of sport—bringing people together across borders and abilities.”

With roots dating to 1925, Lakeshore Foundation is a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site and home to the Lakeshore National Adapted Sports Organization (LNASO), which serves as the national governing body for USA Wheelchair Rugby, US Para Powerlifting and Boccia United States.

“We can’t wait to welcome the world to Lakeshore and Birmingham in June 2026 as we continue to grow the sport, support our athletes, and advance the global Boccia community,” said Kathy Brinker, high-performance consultant for Boccia United States.