The Special Olympics Judo Open Sarajevo 2026 will be held on 25 and 26 September, with around 130 athletes from 20 countries expected to compete across all five Special Olympics ability levels.

The event is organised by Special Olympics Europe Eurasia and Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership with the International Judo Federation, and forms part of the wider World Judo Championships Veterans and Kata programme in Sarajevo.

The IJF describes it as the first international Special Olympics judo event developed with the federation to include all five levels and to be integrated into an IJF world-level championship programme.

It follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2025 by Special Olympics International and the IJF, confirming their shared aim of expanding opportunities for judoka with intellectual disabilities.

Sven Albrecht, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, said Sarajevo would demonstrate the commitment to high-quality opportunities for athletes of all abilities. IJF President Marius Vizer said the federation was proud to be part of the pathway, adding that inclusion, equity and human connection underpin the sport.

Organisers expect more than 240 athletes, coaches, officials and delegation members in the wider event delegation. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Judo Federation and local partners are working with Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina on the event.

The Sarajevo Open extends a step taken earlier this year, when judoka with cognitive disabilities competed inside an IJF grand slam for the first time at the Ecole Mont-Olivet Adapted Judo Grand Slam Lausanne 2026. The IJF has described the two events as connected: Lausanne showed that inclusion could work inside a grand slam, and Sarajevo takes the Special Olympics programme into a world championship setting.

The veterans championships in Sarajevo run until 24 September, with the kata events following.

Sarajevo hosts the kata and veterans world championships and, from 25 September, the Special Olympics judo open. (video, FTV / YouTube) Open on YouTube

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