The 2026 IBSA Judo European Championship will be held in Heidelberg, Germany. The official International Blind Sports Federation event page currently lists an event window from 9 to 16 August and identifies the championship as a sanctioned event.
Judo for athletes with visual impairments retains the throws, groundwork, tactics and core values of the sport, while adapting parts of the competition procedure. Contests begin with both athletes taking a grip, allowing them to locate and read each other through touch, balance and body position.
The current IBSA system includes J1 and J2 visual classes. J1 is for athletes who are blind or almost blind. These judoka wear a red circle on their back number, and referees guide them to the centre of the contest area when required. J2 applies to athletes who meet the relevant visual acuity or visual field criteria and does not use the same red marking.
Other adaptations support safety and communication. Referees can call "Jogai" when athletes approach the edge of the contest area, while coaches may provide limited information relating to time or safety in specified situations. These adjustments preserve the technical and competitive character of judo while supporting fair participation.
IBSA currently lists men's weight categories at under-70 kg, under-81 kg, under-90 kg and over-90 kg. The women's categories are under-52 kg, under-60 kg, under-70 kg and over-70 kg. Combined with the two visual classes, this structure creates multiple medal events.
At present, the official event page mainly confirms Heidelberg as the host location and the 9 to 16 August event window. The final entry list, daily schedule and exact competition dates should be added only after they are published by the organiser or IBSA.