2026 World Climbing Series: National Federation Quotas Finalized

The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has officially released the athlete quota allocations for the upcoming 2026 season. These numbers dictate exactly how many athletes each country can send to the World Cups (now branded as the World Climbing Series).

For team managers and athletes planning their 2026 circuit, understanding these caps is critical for selection strategies.

How the Quotas Are Calculated

The system relies on a two-tier approach to ensure global representation while rewarding high-performing nations:

• Fixed Quota (The Base): Every Member Federation is entitled to register a maximum of 2 athletes per discipline and per gender. This ensures that every country has a chance to compete.
• Additional Quota (Performance Bonus): Federations earn extra spots based on how many of their athletes finished in the Top 40 of the World Rankings at the end of the previous season.

The Powerhouses: Who Has the Most Spots?

Unsurprisingly, the nations that dominated the 2025 rankings have secured the maximum additional slots. Looking at the official document, teams like Japan (JPN) and France (FRA) continue to hold the highest volume of quota places across Boulder and Lead, allowing them to field deep teams in nearly every event.

Conversely, emerging nations will rely on their Fixed Quota of 2 athletes to break into the semi-finals and earn future additional spots.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With the quotas now set, National Federations will begin their internal selection trials. Remember, these quotas apply to the World Climbing Series events. World Championships and Continental events often utilize separate qualification pathways.