Torquay, Devon, will host the 2026 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup from 24–28 June 2026. The ICF‑sanctioned World Cup, organised by Paddle UK in partnership with the International Canoe Federation (ICF), Torbay Council and the English Riviera BID Company, is expected to bring around 200 elite international athletes and more than 1,000 other paddlers to the region. Local leaders say the five‑day event is expected to draw over 5,000 spectators a day to the bay’s waterfront.
Races will take place across the bay, with sprint and technical events planned for Torquay Inner Harbour and longer-distance races reaching toward Paignton and Brixham. It will be the first time an ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup of this scale has been held in the United Kingdom. The World Cup runs alongside the Paddle UK SUPER Festival, a programme of recreational and community paddling aimed at encouraging wider participation in the sport.
The event will be a test for the town’s recent upgrades, including the roughly £21.9 million transformation of The Strand (Harbourside). The new pedestrian-friendly promenade has been designed to accommodate large crowds and major events. Local accommodation providers report high bookings for the event period; some B&Bs in Paignton have reported around 80% occupancy for the week of 24–28 June.
Event Director Brendon Prince, a world‑record‑holding paddleboarder who was the first to circumnavigate mainland Britain, is leading the organising team. Organisers and the English Riviera BID Company say the World Cup will provide a multi‑million‑pound boost to shops, hotels and restaurants across the bay. “We are thrilled to welcome the world of paddleboarding to the English Riviera in 2026,” said Brendon Prince. Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, said the event is a “significant opportunity to showcase the English Riviera to a global audience.”
Torbay Council and event partners note that the influx of visitors will test local transport links; they are working on traffic management plans and advise attendees to check official travel and event information in advance.
Further details, including event schedule, athlete entries and how to register for the Paddle UK SUPER Festival, are available on the official event site and Paddle UK announcements.
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