World Abilitysport and Local Organising Committee, NPC Türkiye are delighted to announce the opening of entries for the 2026 World Abilitysport Youth Games, set to take place from 15–22 June 2026.

Building on the success of the inaugural World Abilitysport Beach Games held last October, Mersin, Türkiye will once again position itself at the heart of international Para sport, as the city prepares to turn its focus to the next generation of Para athletes.

With a dynamic programme of eight sports, the Youth Games will bring together young Para athletes from across the globe to compete in 3×3 wheelchair basketball, adaptive sepaktakraw, Para athletics (field events), Para badminton, Para dance sport, Para fencing, Para sailing and Para swimming.

In Para Athletics, the programme will focus exclusively on field events, delivered under recognised World Para Athletics Under-17 and Under-20 categories in the Nevin Yanit Athletics Complex. Youth and Junior categories will also be hosted in a World Para Swimming approved competition held at the city’s Mersin Olympic Swimming Pool’s 50m course.

Partnering with Badminton World Federation, Para badminton returns to Mersin following the successful staging of Para AirBadminton at the 2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games, this time in its traditional indoor format.

Para badminton first appeared on the World Abilitysport Games programme at the 2019 IWAS World Games in Sharjah, UAE, marking a milestone in its international development ahead of the sports Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020. With further inclusions in 2023 and 2025 Games, World Abilitysport’s commitment to the development of Para Badminton continues with the inclusion of an U21 youth event this year.

Working with the Turkish Basketball Federation, the Games will host the world’s first IWBF Endorsed U23 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball international in a custom outdoor venue. Showcasing this exciting format of wheelchair basketball, teams will compete to become the first U23 3×3 gold medallists on a court overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Further along Mersin’s coastline at Babil Watersports Centre, Para Sailing returns following its debut at last year’s Beach Games. The Turkish Paralympic Committee, in partnership with the Turkish Sailing Federation, invested in 12 Hansa 303 Class boats last year with a vision to create a lasting legacy for Para sailing in Türkiye and beyond. Just eight months later, that vision comes to fruition as the city prepares to welcome young sailors to a World Sailing Youth (U25) one-person keelboat event on its shores.

Another investment in 13 wheelchair fencing frames will see Türkiye make its debut on the international Para fencing circuit hosting the 2026 Para Fencing U23 World Championships, followed by an open-age Satellite Tournament.

Dr Murat Aksu, 2nd Vice President of World Abilitysport and President of the Turkish Paralympic Committee said, “We are incredibly proud to have made a significant investment in the purchase of wheelchair fencing equipment, ensuring the legacy of the Youth Games lives on far beyond the event itself.”

“This investment not only strengthens our national Para fencing pathway but supports our ambitions to become a regular host on the international Para fencing circuit.”

Historic milestones will also be achieved in the promotion of Para dance sport as the first Youth World Cup (U21) and Development Competition for ambulant dancers will be hosted followed by an open-age International Competition. The competition is set to be the first event held on an outdoor dancefloor with the magnificent Taurus Mountains as the backdrop.

The recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between World Abilitysport and the International Sepaktakraw Federation will come to fruition with adaptive sepaktakraw’s return to Mersin on the Sport Expo programme. Last year, the sport captivated spectators and its return reflects a shared commitment from World Abilitysport and NPC Türkiye to promote and grow the discipline internationally.

All-important international classification opportunities will be available at the Games in 3×3 wheelchair basketball, Para badminton, Para dance sport, Para fencing and Para sailing through the sport’s International Federations. International classification opportunities with World Para Swimming are pending.

World Abilitysport President, Rudi Van den Abbeele said, “Our Youth Games programme is vital in giving youth athletes international experience, helping them develop their skills, gain confidence, and take decisive steps toward future success, including the LA 2028 Paralympic Games. With its beautiful Mediterranean setting, excellent facilities and renowned Turkish hospitality, Mersin offers the perfect stage for the next generation of athletes.”

“I’d like to offer my sincerest thanks to NPC Türkiye President and World Abilitysport 2nd Vice President, Dr Murat Aksu, for his unwavering commitment to the development of Para sport. My thanks also to LOC President, Serkan Baltaci and his team for their outstanding work, consistently approaching every challenge with openness and determination which continues to drive the success of events like these.”

LOC President, Serkan Baltaci said, “These Games are about far more than competition; they are a celebration of youth, inclusion and opportunity and we are excited to welcome young athletes from around the world to Mersin. The city proved its passion for Para sport in 2025 and we are proud to welcome teams to a world-class environment where your talented next generation of athletes can shine.”

The Youth Games mark the second of a trio of Games awarded to NPC Türkiye in an historic partnership agreed in 2024. The third and final edition will be the 2027 World Abilitysport Games held in October 2027 in Samsun, Türkiye set to offer the most extensive sport programme in the history of our Games.

Entries open on Thursday 2 April until 8 May 2026. For more information please click here.