30 Oct
The 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships will take place in London, Ontario, Canada from August 13 to August 15, 2026 at beautiful Fanshawe Lake. This venue previously hosted the 2001 Canada Summer Games and is the former home training facility of the Canadian national rowing team. More recently, the 2022 Can Am Mex Rowing Championships as well as the 2025 Canada Cup were hosted at this facility.
The 2026 Championships will be organized by Western University in collaboration with Rowing Canada, the City of London, Tourism London and other important partners. This event will bring together an estimated 300+ student-athletes from over 20 countries. This will be the first time that this event has ever been hosted in Canada.
More than just a competition, the championships reflect FISU’s core values: excellence, passion, team spirit, as well as showcasing academic and cultural diversity. It is our goal to bring these core values to participants during and outside of the competition.
We are honoured to welcome the best rowing student-athletes from around the world to London and to Canada!
Partners
FISU President’s Welcome Message
Dear student-athletes, dear friends,
I am delighted to welcome you to London, for the 2026 FISU World University Championship in Rowing.
I would like to address you first, dear student-athletes, who are and who always be the beating heart of FISU.
Competing at the World University Championships is a career highlight for many of you. For others, it is a step up to the next level of performance. What you all have in common is your love of sport, your commitment, your fair play and your respect. You come together as rivals, from different places and different backgrounds, but you will almost certainly leave as friends.
Despite the challenging times we are all facing, you remind us of the special power of young people to reassure us that a better world is possible. You remind us of the need to prioritise sport, sustainability, inclusivity and healthy social exchange. FISU firmly believes that university athletes are the role models and future leaders the world needs.
Over these three days, you will compete alongside some of the best student-athletes on the planet. The FISU World University Championships demand skill, athleticism, and single-minded determination to do your best. But beyond the competition, FISU urges you to have fun. May you return home with memories that will last a lifetime!
None of FISU’s events would be possible without the generosity of our hosts. I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the National University Sports Federation of Canada the organisers for their dedication and the volunteers for their passion.
FISU is also grateful for the ongoing support of the International Sports Federations. Together, we aim to provide the highest level of technical excellence on and off the field of play.
I am confident that the 2026 FISU World University Championship in Rowing in London will give you every opportunity to shine, to interact and to grow as people.
I wish you the best of luck!
Leonz Eder
FISU President
Welcome Message from LOC Chair
Welcome to the 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships.
We are thrilled to host student-athletes, coaches, and supporters from around the globe for this exciting celebration of sport, teamwork, and international unity. As you compete on the water and connect off it, we hope you experience the true spirit of excellence, camaraderie, and cultural exchange that defines FISU events. Whether you’re here to race, cheer, or support, your presence enriches this championship and helps inspire the next generation of rowers.
Best of luck to all participants—may your time here in London, Ontario, Canada be memorable, rewarding, and filled with unforgettable moments on and off the water!
Dan Bechard
Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chair & Head Coach Western University Rowing