Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Qualification Draw Announced
Bart Deurloo and Eythora Thorsdottir named Gymnastics Ambassadors for the 2026 World Championships
ROTTERDAM – The official draw for the qualification rounds of the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on Friday determined the subdivisions in which the gymnasts will compete. The World Championships will take place from 17 to 25 October at Rotterdam Ahoy. During the same media moment, Bart Deurloo and Eythora Thorsdottir were presented by World Gymnastics as Gymnastics Ambassadors for the event.
Draw determines the rhythm of the qualification rounds
The draw determines the subdivision in which each country will compete during the qualification rounds. This also establishes the time at which each team competes and the apparatus on which the competition begins. The outcome is important for preparation, competition rhythm and the overall structure of the qualification round.
According to Event Director Epke Zonderland, the draw above all highlights that spectators will be treated to world-class gymnastics during every qualification session.
“Every subdivision features Olympic champions, World champions, continental champions, strong national teams and individual apparatus specialists.” Among the men, the Event Director points to the United States, Great Britain and Japan, who have all been drawn into the same subdivision. Another notable outcome is that the United States will open the women’s qualification rounds.
Zonderland also highlights the Dutch session on Monday 19 October. The Netherlands will compete alongside Great Britain and a large number of individual specialists. “This will also be a session of absolutely top-level gymnastics. Experiencing gymnastics live is completely different from watching it on a screen. From close by, you see not only the difficulty, but also the execution, presence and performance. And when the Dutch gymnasts take to the floor, the large and enthusiastic home crowd always creates a very special atmosphere.”
LA 2028
The World Championships in Rotterdam are not only about world titles. The event also marks the first qualification opportunity on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The top three teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions will qualify directly for LA28, with a full team quota of five athletes.
Thorsdottir en Deurloo conduct the draw
Prominent role for Deurloo and Thorsdottir
As Gymnastics Ambassadors, Deurloo and Thorsdottir will play a prominent role in the build-up to and during the World Championships. They will help bring the sport closer to the public, share their experiences as elite athletes and help engage young athletes and other audiences with the World Championships. During the media moment, they immediately contributed to the presentation of the official draw.
Third time
After previous editions in 1987 and 2010, the World Championships will return to Rotterdam for the third time. Under the theme Building Bridges, the organisers aim to build bridges between countries, generations and cultures, as well as between elite sport and the people it inspires to become active themselves.
“That the World Championships are returning to Rotterdam after 1987 and 2010 is very special. In October, the world’s absolute elite will come to Ahoy. But the significance of these World Championships extends beyond the competitions themselves. We want to involve the people of Rotterdam in the event and inspire children to become active themselves. An international elite sporting event only truly creates value when it also has an impact beyond the arena,” says Jeroen Postma, Alderman for Youth, Education and Sport for the City of Rotterdam.
Bridging the gap between the world’s elite and local clubs
As part of the World Championships, activities will be organised across Rotterdam to encourage children, young people and adults to get active themselves. During the World Port Days, a freerunning activity was among the initiatives visited. A special World Championships gymnastics tram is also already travelling through Rotterdam.
Monique Kempff, President of the Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation (KNGU), added:
“Hosting the World Championships in our own country is very special. In October, the strongest gymnastics nations and the world’s best gymnasts will come to Rotterdam Ahoy: a unique opportunity to see the world’s elite up close. Building Bridges perfectly captures what we want to achieve with these World Championships. We want to build a bridge between the world’s elite in Ahoy and the clubs, neighbourhoods and people outside the arena, and between well-known champions and children who may be discovering gymnastics for the first time.”
Tickets
Interest in the World Championships is high. The women’s all-around final and the apparatus finals are sold out. A limited number of tickets are still available for some of the other finals, while tickets are also still available for several qualification sessions. Current availability can be found in the official ticket shop.
