The following is a list of world sports championships, including some sporting events which use a different name with a similar meaning. In some sports, there is a world series, but that term usually has a somewhat different meaning.
Tournaments which are formally defunct or where a further event is not currently planned are marked with a gray background.
Sport | Competition name | Competing entities | First held |
Current holder | Next | Frequency | Details and notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Air racing | Red Bull Air Race World Championship | Individuals | 2003 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | Not held in 2011–2013, discontinued for 2020 |
Auto racing | |||||||
A1 Grand Prix | Nations | 2005–06 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | ||
Formula One World Championship | Individuals | 1950 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
Constructors | 1958 | ![]() |
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FIA World Endurance Championship | Individuals | 2012 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | Toyota (2023) | ||||||
FIA GT1 World Championship | Individuals | 2010 | Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock (2012) |
Defunct | Annual | Annually until 2012 | |
Teams | Münnich Motorsport (2012) | ||||||
FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies | Individuals | 1993 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | Annually until 2021 | |
Teams | ![]() | ||||||
World Rally-Raid Championship | Individuals | 2023 | ![]() ![]() |
2024 | Annual | Co-sanctioned with FIM; replaced World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies | |
Teams | ![]() | ||||||
FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas | Individuals | 2002 | ![]() ![]() |
Annual | Baja events split off from cross-country rally competition after original bajas competition was combined with rallies world cup in 2012. | ||
Teams | ![]() | ||||||
World Rally Championship | Individuals | 1977 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | 1973 | ![]() |
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World Touring Car Championship | Individuals | 1987 | Thed Björk (2017) | Defunct | Annual | changed name to the World Touring Car Cup. | |
Manufacturers | Volvo (2017) | ||||||
World Touring Car Cup | Individuals | 2018 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | "World Touring Car Cup" was used between 1993 and 1995 when it was a single event. | |
Teams | ![]() | ||||||
World Manufacturers' Championship | Manufacturers | 1925 | Delage (1927) | Defunct | Annual | Annually until 1927 | |
World Sportscar Championship | Manufacturers; from 1985 teams |
1953 | Peugeot Talbot Sport (1992) | Defunct | Annual | Annually until 1992. Resumed as FIA World Endurance Championship | |
Individuals | 1981 | Yannick Dalmas Derek Warwick (1992) |
Annual | ||||
Karting World Championship | KZ | 1964 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
OK | ![]() |
Annual | |||||
Intercontinental Drifting Cup | Individuals | 2017 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Formula E | Individuals | 2014 | ![]() |
2023–24 | Annual | ||
FIA International Hill Climb Cup | Closed cars | 2000 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
Competition Cars | ![]() | ||||||
R-GT Cup | Individuals | 2015 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Rallycross Championship | RX1 | 2014 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
RX2e | ![]() |
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Bull riding | PBR Global Cup | Nations | 2017 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | Discontinued after 2022 |
PBR World Cup | Nations | 2007 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | Discontinued after 2010 | |
Gliding | FAI World Glider Aerobatic Championships | Individuals | 1985 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | |
Nations | ![]() |
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World Gliding Championships | Individuals | 1937 | Winners in 6 classes (2018) | 2020 | Biennial | The duration between World Gliding Championships varies slightly, dependent on the hemisphere of the next planned edition. | |
Paragliding | Paragliding World Cup | Individual | 1992 | Winners in 5 competitions (2016) | 2017–18 | Annual | |
Motorcycling | FIM MotoGP World Championship | MotoE Individual | 2019 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | |
Moto3 Individual | 2012 | ![]() |
Until 2012 as 125cc | ||||
Moto2 Individual | 2010 | ![]() |
Until 2010 as 250cc | ||||
MotoGP Individual | 2002 | ![]() |
Until 2002 as 500cc | ||||
Moto3 Constructor | 2012 | Gas Gas (2018) | 2023 | Annual | |||
Moto2 Constructor | 2010 | Kalex (2022) | |||||
MotoGP Constructor | 2002 | Ducati (2022) | |||||
Supercross World Championship | Individuals | 2003 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
Motocross World Championship | MX2 Individual | 2003 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
MXGP Individual | 2003 | ![]() |
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MX2 Constructor | 2003 | KTM (2018) | 2019 | Annual | |||
MXGP Constructor | 2003 | KTM (2018) | |||||
FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship | Riders | 1999 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | 1999 | ![]() |
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World Rally-Raid Championship | Riders | 2022 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Co-sanctioned with FIA; replaced Cross-Country Rallies World Championship | |
Manufacturers | 2022 | ![]() | |||||
FIM Bajas World Cup | Riders | 2012 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | 2012 | ![]() |
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FIM World Enduro Championship | E3 | 2004 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
E2 | 2004 | ![]() |
|||||
E1 | 2004 | ![]() |
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FIM sidecarcross World Championship | Pairs | 1980 | Jan Hendrickx Ben van den Bogaart (2016) |
2017 | Annual | ||
Speedway World Team Cup (1960–2000) Speedway World Cup (since 2001) |
National Team | 1960 | Poland (2017) | 2018 | Annual | ||
Speedway World Pairs Championship | National pair | 1970 | Sweden (1993) | Defunct | Annual | Annually until 1993 | |
Individual Speedway World Championship (1936–1994) Speedway Grand Prix (since 1995) |
Individuals | 1936 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
Individual Ice Racing World Championship | Individuals[2] | 1966 | Dmitry Koltakov (2017) | 2018 | Annual | ||
Team Ice Racing World Championship | Nations | 1979 | Russia (2017) | 2018 | Annual | ||
Sidecar World Championship | Pairs | 1949 | ![]() Tom Birchall (passenger) (2018) |
2019 | Annual | ||
Endurance FIM World Championship | Team | 1975 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
Superbike World Championship | Individuals | 1988 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | Kawasaki (2018) | ||||||
Supersport World Championship | Individuals | 1999 | ![]() |
2019 | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | Yamaha (2018) | ||||||
FIM Superstock 1000 Championship | Individuals | 2000 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | ||
Manufacturers | BMW S1000RR (2018) | ||||||
Practical shooting | IPSC Handgun World Shoots | Individuals | 1975 | ![]() |
2020 | Triennial | Winner(s) of largest division(s) |
Teams | United States Production Team (2014) Simon Racaza, Ben Stoeger, Matthew Mink | Defunct | |||||
IPSC Rifle World Shoots | Individuals | 2017 | Teemu Rintala | 2019 | |||
Teams | Finland Open Team (2017) Teemu Rintala, Raine Peltokoski, Jarkko Laukia, Kim Leppänen | ||||||
IPSC Shotgun World Shoots | Individuals | 2012 | ![]() |
2021 | |||
Teams | Russia Standard Team (2018) Roman Anikin, Roman Khalitov, Sergey Orlov Oleg Kudryavtsev | ||||||
IPSC Action Air World Shoots | Individuals | 2018 | ![]() |
2021 | |||
Teams | ![]() | ||||||
Motorboat racing | F1 Powerboat World Championship | Individual | 1981 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | 2020 Season got cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
Motorboat (Jet Ski) | Aquabike World Championship (powerboating) | Individual | 1996 | ![]()
|
2023 | Annual | 2020 Season was made of only one GP as all the remaining GP were cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
Radio-controlled car racing | IFMAR 1:8 IC Track World Championship | Individual | 1977 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | |
IFMAR 1:10 Electric Off-Road World Championship, 2WD | Individual | 1985 | ![]() |
2021 | Double header single host event | ||
IFMAR 1:10 Electric Off-Road World Championship, 4WD | Individual | ![]() | |||||
IFMAR 1:5 Touring Car World Championship | Individual | 2001 | ![]() |
2021 | |||
IFMAR 1:8 IC GT World Championship | Individual | 2020 | ![]() |
2021 | |||
IFMAR 1:8 IC Off-Road World Championship | Individual | 1986 | ![]() |
2020 | |||
IFMAR 1:12 Electric Track World Championship | Individual | 1982 | ![]() |
2022 | Double header single host event from 2002 up to 2018, triple in 2000 with PRO 10 | ||
IFMAR 1:12 Electric Track World Championship, stock | Individual | ![]() |
Not held from 1986 through 2016, ran as World Cup event in 2018. | ||||
IFMAR 1:10 ISTC World Championship | Individual | 2000 | ![]() |
2022 | Double header single host event from 2002 up to 2018, triple in 2000 with PRO 10 | ||
IFMAR 1:10 200mm Nitro Touring Car World Championship | Individual | 2004 | ![]() |
2020 | Double header single host event from 2002 up to 2018, triple in 2000 with PRO 10 | ||
IFMAR PRO 10 World Championship | Individual | 1992 | ![]() |
Defunct | Biennial until 2002 | ||
IFMAR 1:10 235mm IC Track World Championship | Individual | 2000 | ![]() |
Defunct | Biennial until 1984 | ||
Radio-controlled boat sailing | IRSA – 10 Rater World Championships | Individual | 1999 | ![]() |
Undefined | Various | Authorised by World Sailing and the International Radio Sailing Association |
IRSA – A Class World Championships | Individual | ![]() |
Undefined | Various | |||
IRSA – Marblehead World Championships | Individual | ![]() |
Biennial | Various | |||
IRSA – One Metre World Championship | Individual | 1994 | ![]() |
2019 | Biennial | ||
Sailing | Class World Championships | Individuals and Teams | Annual | The majority of sailing 100+ Annual World Championships are none gender specific | |||
Speedcubing | WCA World Championship | Individuals | 1982 | ![]() |
2021 | Biannual | Note: The World Championships were started in 1982, but they only became biannual at the second World Championship, in 2003. |
Rubik's Nations Cup | Nations | 2017 | ![]() |
2021 | Biannual | Note: Countries can form multiple teams |
Sport | Competition name | Competing entities | First held |
Current holder | Next | Frequency | Details and notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aikido | Aikido World Championships | Individuals | 1989 | (2019)r | 2022 | Biennial | Delayed in 2021 due to Covid |
Alpine skiing | FIS Alpine World Ski Championships | Downhill | 1931 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |
Super G | 1987 | ![]() |
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Giant slalom | 1931 | ![]() |
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Slalom | 1931 | ![]() |
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Alpine combined | 1932 | ![]() |
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Parallel giant slalom | 2021 | ![]() |
|||||
FIS Alpine Ski World Cup | Individuals | 1967 | ![]() |
2023–24 | Annual | ||
Nations | ![]() |
||||||
World Para Alpine Skiing Championships | Individuals | 1972 | Several winners in Alpine and Nordic (2023) | 2025 Alpine and Nordic | Biennial | ||
American football | IFAF World Championship | Nations | 1999 | ![]() |
2025 | Quadrennial | Not held in 2019 |
Aquatics | FINA World Aquatics Championships | Individuals[R] | 1973 | Most medals: ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | |
World Diving Championships | Individuals | 1973 | Winners in 5 events (2023) | 2024 | Biennial | ||
FINA Diving World Cup | Individuals | 1979 | Most medals: ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | ||
World Aquatics Swimming World Cup | Individuals | 1988-89 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) | Individuals[R] | 1993 | Most medals: ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | ||
FINA Water Polo World Cup | Nations | 1979 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | Biennially until 2002 | |
FINA Water Polo World Championship | Nations | 1973 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | Biennially since 2001 | |
World Para Swimming Championships | Individuals | 1990 | Most medals: ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | ||
Archery | World Archery Championships | Individual recurve | 1931 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |
Individual compound | 1995 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |||
Team recurve | 1931 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |||
Team compound | 1995 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |||
World Indoor Archery Championships | Individual recurve | 1991 | ![]() |
Defunct | Biennial | ||
Team recurve | ![]() |
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Individual compound | ![]() |
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Team compound | ![]() |
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Archery World Cup | Individual recurve | 2006 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
Individual compound | ![]() |
||||||
World Field Archery Championships | Individual | 1969 | (2022) | 2024 | Biennial | ||
World 3D Archery Championships | Individual | 2003 | (2022) | 2024 | Biennial | ||
World Para Archery Championship | Individual | 1998 | (2022) | 2024 | Biennial | ||
Artistic roller skating | Artistic Skating World Championships | Individuals | 1980 | (2023) | 2024 | Annual | Not held in 2020 |
Athletics | World Athletics Championships | Individuals[R] | 1983 | Most medals: ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | 1983–1991 held quadrennially, biennially starting 1993 |
IAAF Continental Cup | Continents | 2010 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | ||
World Athletics Indoor Championships | Individuals[R] | 1985 | (2022) | 2023 | Biennial | ||
World Athletics Cross Country Championships | Individuals | 1973 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | ||
Teams | ![]() |
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Skyrunning World Championships | Individuals | 2010 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | ||
IAAF World Half Marathon Championships | Individuals | 1992 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | Annually until 2010 | |
Team | 1992 | ![]() | |||||
IAAF World Race Walking Cup | Individual 20 km | 1961 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | ||
Team 20 km | ![]() | ||||||
Individual 50 km | ![]() | ||||||
Team 50 km | ![]() | ||||||
IAU 50 km World Championships | Individuals | 2005 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | 2017.2018 Not held | |
IAU 100 km World Championships | Individuals | 1987 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
IAU 24 Hour World Championship | Individuals | 2001 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
Teams | 2003 | (2019) | |||||
IAAF World Marathon Cup | Individuals | 1985 | 2011 | Defunct | Biennial | ||
World Athletics Relays | Nations | 2014 | Most medals: ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | ||
World Para Athletics Championships | Individuals | 1994 | Winners in multiple events (2019) | 2022 | Biennial | ||
Australian rules football | Australian Football International Cup | Nations | 2002 | ![]() |
2023 | Triennial | |
Badminton | BWF World Championships | Singles | 1977 | ![]() |
2025 | Annual | Annually since 2006; Not held in Summer Olympic years. |
Doubles | ![]() | ||||||
Thomas Cup | Nations | 1949 | ![]() |
2026 | Biennial | Since 1984, it has been held concurrently with the women's Uber Cup. Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
BWF Para-Badminton World Championships | Individuals and Doubles | 1998 | Winners in 10 events (2024) | 2026 | Biennial | ||
Ball Hockey | Ball Hockey World Championship | Nations | 1996 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | |
Bandy | Bandy World Championship | Nations | 1957 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | The second Bandy WCs were held in 1961; from that point, the championships were held biennially until 2003; and annually ever since. |
Bandy World Cup | Clubs | 1974 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
Baseball | World Baseball Classic | Nations | 2006 | ![]() |
2026 | Triennial | Started in 1938 (as IBAF Baseball World Cup); Restarted in 2006; the first two of these modern WBCs (MLB approved and sanctioned by WBSC) were separated by three years (2006, 2009); moved to quadrennially until 2017. 2021 postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Baseball World Cup | Nations | 1938 | ![]() |
Defunct | Biennial until 2011 | ||
WBSC Premier12 | Nations | 2015 | ![]() |
2024 | Quadrennial | ||
Baseball5 | Baseball5 World Cup | Nations | 2022 | 2022 | Biennial | ||
Basketball | FIBA Basketball World Cup | Nations | 1950 | ![]() |
2027 | Quadrennial | Following the 2014 edition, the FIBA Basketball World Cup (but not the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup) has been reset on a new quadrennial cycle. The 2014 (men's) World Cup will be followed by the 2019 World Cup, avoiding conflict with the FIFA World Cup. Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
FIBA 3x3 World Cup | Nations | 2012 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | Biennial until 2016 | |
FIBA Intercontinental Cup | Clubs | 1966 | ![]() |
2023 (Singapore) | Annual | ||
Wheelchair Basketball World Championship | Nations | 1973 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | ||
DIBF Basketball World Championships | Nations | 2003 | (2019) | 2023 | Quadrennial | ||
DIBF 3x3 World Cup | Nations | 2020 | (2022) | 2024 | Biennial | ||
Basque Pelota | Basque Pelota World Championships | Nations | 1952 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | |
Beach soccer | FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup | Nations | 1995 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Beach volleyball | FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships | Nations | 1997 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |
Beach woodball | Beach Woodball World Cup | Nations | 2019 | (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | |
Biathlon | Biathlon World Championships | Sprint 10 km | 1974 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Not held in Winter Olympic Years |
Pursuit 12.5 km | 1997 | ![]() (2021) | |||||
Mass start 15 km | 1999 | ![]() (2021) | |||||
Individual 20 km | 1958 | ![]() | |||||
Relay 4x7.5 km | 1966 | ![]() | |||||
Summer Biathlon World Championships | Individuals | 1996 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Cancelled in 2020 | |
Biathlon World Cup | Individuals overall | 1977 | ![]() |
2021–22 | Annual | ||
Nations | 2000–01 | ![]() |
2021–22 | Annual | |||
Para Biathlon World Championships | Individuals | 1990 | (2021) | 2023 | Annual | ||
Billiards | WPA World Eight-ball Championship | Individuals | 2004 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | |
WPA World Blackball Championship | Individuals | 2006 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | ||
IPA World Blackball Championship | Individuals | 2014 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
WEPF Eight-ball Pool World Championship | Individuals | 1993 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
WPA World Nine-ball Championship | Individuals | 1990 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
WPA World Ten-ball Championship | Individuals | 2008 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
World Billiards Championship (English billiards) | Individuals | 1870 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
IBSF World Billiards Championship (English billiards) | Individuals | 1926 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
World Straight Pool Championship | Individuals | 1912 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | ||
WPA World Artistic Pool Championship | Individuals | 2000 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
World Cup of Pool | Individuals | 2006 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
Bobsleigh | FIBT World Championships | Four man | 1930 | ![]() Candy Bauer Alexander Schüller Thorsten Margis (2021) |
2022 | Annual | Not held in Winter Olympic years. |
Two man | 1931 | ![]() Alexander Schüller (2021) | |||||
IBSF Para Sport World Championship | Nations | 2016 | (2021) | 2023 | Annual | ||
Boccia | World Boccia Championships | Nations | 2010 | (2018) | 2022 | Biennial | |
Bodybuilding | IFBB World Men's Bodybuilding Championships | Individuals | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships | Individuals | 1979 | (2009) | Defunct | |||
Bowls | World Bowls Championship | Singles | 1966 | ![]() |
2023 | Quadrennial | |
Pairs | ![]() | ||||||
Triples | ![]() | ||||||
Fours | ![]() | ||||||
Team | ![]() | ||||||
World Indoor Bowls Championships | Singles | 1979 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
Pairs | ![]() | ||||||
Boxing | World Amateur Boxing Championships | Individuals | 1974 | Winners in 13 weight classes (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | |
Boxing World Cup | Individuals | 1979 | (2020) | 2022 | 2020 resume take place | ||
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship | Individuals | 1996 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | |
World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup | Individuals | 2009 | (2019) | 2020 | Annual | ||
Canoeing | ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships | Men's C–1 500 m | 1971 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Not held in Summer Olympic years,Men's C-2 200 m.C-4 1000 m.C-4 200 m.C-1 4 × 200 m relay.C-1 10000 m.C-2 10000 m. K–2 200 m. K–4 1000 m ;Women's K-4 200 m. K-2 1000 m. K-4 1000 m. K-2 5000 m. K-1 4 × 200 m relay,has been not take place. |
Men's C–1 1000 m | 1938 | ![]() | |||||
Men's C–1 5000 m | 2010 | ![]() | |||||
Men's C–2 500 m | 1971 | ![]() | |||||
Men's C–2 1000 m | 1938 | ![]() | |||||
Men's C–4 500 m | 1989 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–1 200 m | 1994 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–1 500 m | 1948 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–1 1000 m | 1938 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–1 5000 m | 2010 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–2 500 m | 1948 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–2 1000 m | 1938 | ![]() | |||||
Men's K–4 500 m | 1977 | ![]() | |||||
ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships | C-1 | 1949 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Not held in Summer Olympic years. | |
C-1 team | 1949 | ![]() | |||||
C-2 | 1949 | 2019 not take place | |||||
C-2 team | 1949 | 2019 not take place | |||||
K-1 | 1949 | ![]() | |||||
K-1 team | 1949 | ![]() | |||||
Extreme K1 | 2017 | ![]() (2021) | |||||
Canoe Slalom World Cup | C-1 | 1988 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
C-2 | 1988 | 2021 not take place | |||||
K-1 | 1988 | ![]() | |||||
Extreme slalom | 1988 | ![]() | |||||
Wildwater Canoeing World Cup | Individuals | 1989 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
ICF Canoe Polo World Championships | Nations | 1994 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | ||
ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships | teams | 1988 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Wildwater Canoeing World Championships | teams | 1959 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennual | ||
Carom Sports (Billiards) |
World three-cushion billiards championship | Individuals | 1928 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Teams | 1981 | ![]() | |||||
Three-Cushion World Cup | Individuals | 1986 | Not Awarded (2021) | 2022 | Annual total 7 competitions | ||
World Five-pins Championship | Individuals | 1965 | ![]() |
TBA | |||
World Championship 5 Pins National Teams | Teams | 2019 | ![]() |
TBA | |||
Artistic Billiards World Championship | Individuals | 1937 | ![]() |
Defunct | |||
Carrom | Carrom World Championship | Men's Singles | 1991 | (2022) | |||
Men's Doubles | 1991 | (2022) | |||||
Men's Team | 1991 | (2022) | |||||
Carrom World Cup | Nations | 2002 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | ||
Climbing | IFSC Climbing World Championships | Lead | 1991 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |
Bouldering | 2001 | ![]() | |||||
Speed | 1991 | ![]() | |||||
Combined | 2012 | ![]() | |||||
IFSC Climbing World Cup | Lead | 1989 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
Bouldering | 1999 | ![]() | |||||
Speed | 1998 | ![]() | |||||
IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships | Individuals | 2011 | Lead:Winners in 13 events (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | ||
IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup | Individuals | 2021 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | ||
CP football | World CP Football Championships | Nations | 1982 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | |
Cricket | ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI format) | Nations | 1975 | ![]() |
2027 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
ICC Men's T20 World Cup (T20I format) | Nations | 2007 | ![]() |
2026 | Biennial | Changed from odd-numbered years (2007–2009) to even-numbered years (2010–2016). Biennial until 2016. Quadrennial since 2016. Biennial since 2021. Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
ICC World Test Championship (Test format) | Nations | 2019–21 | ![]() |
2023-25 | Biennial[a] | 2 year league format concluding with the final | |
Indoor Cricket World Cup | Nations | 1995 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | ||
ICC Champions Trophy | 1998 | ![]() |
Discontinued after 2017, but will comeback in 2025 | No fixed repetition | |||
Blind Cricket World Cup | Nations | 1998 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | ||
Blind T20 World Cup | Nations | 2012 | ![]() |
2022 | once in five years | ||
Cross-country skiing | FIS Nordic World Ski Championships | 15 km & 18 km | 1925 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
50 km | 1925 | ![]() |
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Skiathlon 15+15 km | 1993 | ![]() |
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Sprint | 2001 | ![]() |
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Relay 4x10 km | 1933 | ![]() |
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Team sprint | 2005 | ![]() |
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World Para Nordic Skiing Championships | Individuals | 1974 | Winners in 19 events (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | ||
FIS Cross-Country World Cup | Individuals | 1973–74 | ![]() |
2021–22 | Annual | ||
Curling | World Curling Championships | Nations | 1959 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | 2020 cancellation |
Cycling | UCI Road World Championships | Road race | 1927 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | |
Time trial | 1994 | ![]() |
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Team time trial (trade teams) | 2012 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | |||
Team time trial (nations) | 1962 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | |||
UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships | Individuals | 1950 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships | Cross-country | 1990 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
Downhill | 1990 | ![]() |
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Four cross | 2002 | ![]() |
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UCI Mountain Bike World Cup | Individuals | 1990 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI Urban Cycling World Championships | Freestyle BMX | Flatland:![]() Park: ![]() (2021) |
2021 | Annual | |||
Cross-country eliminator | 2012 | 2021 Not Take Place | |||||
Trials 20-inch | 1992 | 2021 Not Take Place | |||||
Trials 26-inch | 1995 | 2021 Not Take Place | |||||
UCI Track Cycling World Championships | Individuals and nations | 1893 | Winners in 22 events (2021); Most medals: ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships | Individuals | 2003 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI Trials World Championships | Individuals | 1986 | Men's trials, 20 inch:![]() Men's trials, 26 inch: ![]() (2021) |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI BMX World Championships | Individuals | 1982 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships | Individuals | 1956 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup | Individuals and nations | 1993 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup | Individuals | 1993–94 | ![]() |
2021–22 | Annual | ||
UCI BMX Supercross World Cup | Individuals | 2010 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships | Individuals and nations | 2007 | Winners in 18 events (2020) | 2021 | Annual | ||
UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships | Individuals and nations | 2009 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Darts | |||||||
BDO World Darts Championship | Individuals | 1978 | ![]() |
2021 | Defunct | Replaced by WDF World Darts Championship | |
WDF World Darts Championship | Individuals | 2022 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
PDC World Darts Championship | Individuals | 1994 | ![]() (2024) |
2025 | Annual | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
PDC World Cup of Darts | Doubles | 2010 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Dodgeball | World Dodgeball Championships | Nations - Foam | 2012 | Malaysia | 2024 | Biennial | |
Nations - Cloth | 2019 | Great Britain | 2024 | Biennial | |||
Dragon Boat | World Dragon Boat Championships | Nations | 2006 | (2019) | 2022 | Annual | |
World Nations Championships | Nations | 1995 | (2019) | 2023 | Biennial | ||
Club Crew World Championships | Nations | 1996 | (2018) | 2022 | Biennial | ||
Fencing | World Fencing Championships | Foil | 1926 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Championships are not held for Olympic events in Summer Olympic years. |
Foil team | 1930 | ![]() | |||||
Épée | 1921 | ![]() | |||||
Épée team | 1930 | ![]() | |||||
Sabre | 1922 | ![]() | |||||
Sabre team | 1930 | ![]() | |||||
Fencing World Cup | Individuals and Nations | 1972 | (2019–20) | 2020–21 | Annual | ||
World Wheelchair fencing championships | Individuals | 2010 | (2019) | 2022 | Biennal | ||
Field hockey | FIH Hockey World Cup | Nations | 1971 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Men's Indoor Hockey World Cup | Nations | 2003 | ![]() |
2025 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
FIH Hockey5s World Cup | Nations | 2024 | 2024 | ||||
Figure skating | World Figure Skating Championships | Individuals | 1896 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | |
Finswimming | Finswimming World Championships | Individuals | 1976 | Russian Underwater Federation (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | |
Finswimming World Cup | Individuals | 2014 | (2019) | 2022 | Annual | ||
Fistball | Fistball World Cup | Nations | 1968 | ![]() |
2027 | Quadrennial | |
Flag football | IFAF Flag Football World Championship | Nations | 2002 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | |
Floorball | World Floorball Championships | Nations | 1996 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | |
Freediving | AIDA World Championships | Individuals | 1996 | (2022) | 2023 | Annual | |
Team | 2005 | (2022) | 2023 | Annual | |||
Freerunning & Parkour | World Parkour Championship | Individuals | 2022 | 2022 | |||
Freestyle Skiing | FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships | Moguls | 1986 | ![]() (2021) |
2023 | Biennial | |
Dual Moguls | 2001 | ![]() |
|||||
Aerials | 1986 | ![]() |
|||||
Half-pipe | 2005 | ![]() |
|||||
Slopestyle | 2011 | ![]() |
|||||
Ski cross | 2005 | ![]() |
|||||
Big air | 2019 | ![]() |
|||||
Football | FIFA World Cup | Nations | 1930 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
FIFA Club World Cup | Clubs | 2000 | ![]() |
2025 | Quadrennial | Quadrennial since 2025, Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
ConIFA World Football Cup | Nations | 2014 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | Replaced the Viva World Cup | |
Football (Blind) | IBSA Blind Football World Championships – B1 | Nations | 1998 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | |
IBSA Blind Football World Championships – B2/B3 | Nations | 1998 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | ||
Football (Amputee) | Amputee Football World Cup | Nations | 1984 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | |
Futsal | FIFA Futsal World Cup | Nations | 1989 | ![]() |
2024 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AMF Futsal World Cup | Nations | 1982 | ![]() |
2023 | Quadrennial | Originally a triennial event, held quadrennially after 2003. | |
Goalball | Goalball World Championships | Nations | 1978 | ![]() |
2022 | Qradrennial | |
Golf | Mission Hills World Cup | Nations | 1953 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | |
World Golf Championships | WGC Championship | 1999 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
WGC Match Play | 1999 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |||
WGC Invitational | 1999 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |||
WGC-HSBC Champions | 1999 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |||
Grappling | World Grappling Championship | Individuals | 2007 | (2013) | Defunct | Biennial | |
Gymnastics | World Artistic Gymnastics Championships | Individuals & Teams | 1903 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Not held in Olympic Years |
Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships | Individual & Teams | 1964 | Individual: ![]() Teams: Russian Gymnastics Federation (2021) |
2022 | Biennial | ||
Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships | Pair and Group | 1974 | Russian Gymnastics Federation (2020) | 2022 | Biennial | ||
Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships | Individuals | 1995 | Russian Gymnastics Federation (2021) | 2022 | Biennial | ||
Artistic Gymnastics World Cup | Individuals | 1975 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | ||
Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup | Individuals | 1983 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | ||
Trampoline World Cup | Individuals | 2008 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | ||
Handball (Olympic handball) | IHF World Men's Handball Championship | Nations | 1938 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
IHF Super Globe | Clubs | 1997 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Handball (Beach handball) | World Men's Beach Handball Championship | Nations | 2004 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | |
Ice Climbing | UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup | Individuals | 2000 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | |
UIAA Ice Climbing World Championships | Individuals | 2015 | (2017) | 2022 | Biennual | ||
Ice hockey | IIHF World Championship | Nations | 1920 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | Not held from 1940 to 1946 during World War II. Cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
World Para Ice Hockey Championships | Nations | 1996 | PoolA:![]() PoolB: ![]() PoolC: ![]() |
Annual | |||
World Cup of Hockey | Nations | 1976 (asCanada Cup) | ![]() |
Unknown | Quadrennial | ||
Inline hockey | IIHF Inline Hockey World Championship | Nations | 1996 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | The IIHF cancelled the championship in 2019 and can no longer govern inline hockey.[4] |
FIRS Inline Hockey World Championships | Nations | 1995 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | ||
Indoor Soccer | WMF World Cup | Nations | 2015 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Irish Dance | Oireachtas rince na Cruinne (CLRG) | Individuals | 1970 | Most medals: ![]() |
2024 | Annual | Not held in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak. Cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
World Irish Dance Championships (An Comhdhail) | Individuals | 2012 | Most medals: ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
World Irish Dance Championships (WIDA) | Individuals | 2012 | 2023 | 2024 | Annual | ||
Judo | World Judo Championships | Individuals | 1956 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | |
Kabaddi | IKF Kabaddi World Cup (Standard style) | Nations | 2004 | ![]() |
|||
IKF Kabaddi World Cup (Circle style) | Nations | 2010 | ![]() |
||||
Karate | Karate World Championships | Individuals | 1970 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Kendo | World Kendo Championship | Individuals | 1970 | ![]() |
2024 | Triennial | |
Kickboxing | W.A.K.O. Amateur Kickboxing World Championships | Individuals | 1978 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | |
Kurash | World Kurash Championships | Individuals | 1999 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | |
Lacrosse | World Lacrosse Championship | Nations | 1967 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | |
World Indoor Lacrosse Championship | Nations | 2003 | ![]() |
2023 | Quadrennial | ||
Lifesaving | World Life Saving Championships | Nations | 1955 | (2018) | 2022 | Biennial | |
Luge | FIL World Luge Championships | Men's singles | 1955 | (Russian Luge Federation) Roman Repilov (2021) | 2023 | Annual | |
Men's doubles | 1955 | ![]() Sascha Benecken (2021) |
|||||
FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships | Men's singles | 1979 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | ||
Men's doubles | 1979 | ![]() Florian Clara (2021) |
2023 | Biennial | |||
Modern pentathlon | World Modern Pentathlon Championships | Individual | 1949 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Team | 1949 | ![]() |
|||||
Relay | 2004 | Russia (2021) | |||||
Modern Pentathlon World Cup | Individuals | 1999 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Mountain running | World Mountain Running Championships | Individuals | 1985 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |
World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships | Individuals | 2004 | ![]() |
2020 | Annual | ||
IAU Trail World Championships | Individuals | 2007 | ![]() |
2020 | Annual | ||
World Mountain & Trail Running Championships | Individuals | 2021 | 2021 | ||||
Muaythai | IFMA World Muaythai Championships | Individuals | 1993 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | |
Nine-pin bowling | Nine-pin bowling Single's World Championships | Single classic | 2006 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Sprint | ![]() |
||||||
Combination | ![]() |
||||||
Nine-pin bowling World Team Championships | Team | 2005 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | ||
Nordic Combined | FIS Nordic World Ski Championships | 10 km individual normal hill | 1925 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
10 km individual large hill | 1999 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
10 km mass start | 2009 | ![]() |
Only held in 2009 | N/A | Suspended | ||
National Team Normal Hill 4 x 5 km | 2011 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
National Team Large Hill 2 x 7.5 km | 1982 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
FIS Nordic Combined World Cup | Individuals | 1983–84 | ![]() |
2021–22 | Annual | ||
Orienteering | World Orienteering Championships | Sprint | 2001 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Short distance | 1991 | ![]() |
Defunct | Biennial | |||
Middle distance | 2003 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Originally biennially, annually since 2003 | ||
Long distance | 1966 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Originally biennially, annually since 2003 | ||
Relay | 1966 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Originally biennially, annually since 2003 | ||
Orienteering World Cup | Individuals | 1986 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Unofficial title cups held in 1983 and 1984 (first official cup in 1986); held biennially until 2004, now annually | |
World Ski Orienteering Championships | Individuals | 1975 | (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | ||
Ski Orienteering World Cup | Individuals | 1989 | (2013–14) | Defunct | |||
World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships | Individuals | 2002 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | ||
World Trail Orienteering Championships | Individuals | 2004 | (2019) | 2022 | Annual | ||
Padel tennis | Padel Tennis World Championship | Nations | 1992 | (2018) | 2020 | Biennial | |
Pétanque | Pétanque World Championships | Nations | 1959 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Pickleball | World Pickleball Championships | Nations | 2019 | (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | |
Pitch and putt | Pitch and Putt World Cup | Nations | 2004 | ![]() |
2021 | Quadrennial | |
World Strokeplay Championship | Individuals | 2009 | ![]() |
2021 | Quadrennial | ||
Polo | World Polo Championship | Nations | 1987 | ![]() |
2026 | Triennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Powerlifting | World Powerlifting Championship | Individuals | 2011 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | |
World Para Powerlifting Championships | Individuals | 1994 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | ||
Racquetball | Racquetball World Championships | Nations | 1981 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Real tennis | Real Tennis World Championship | Singles [D] | 1740 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |
Doubles | 2001 | ![]() |
2026 | ||||
Rogaining | World Rogaining Championships | Nations | 1992 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Roll Ball | Roll Ball World Cup | Nations | 2011 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | |
Roller derby | Men's Roller Derby World Cup | Teams | 2014 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Roller derby | MRDA Championships | Teams | 2017 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |
Roller hockey | Roller Hockey World Cup | Nations | 1936 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | Current FIRS cups restarted in 1958 |
Roller Hockey Intercontinental Cup | Clubs | 1985 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | ||
Rowing | World Rowing Championships | Nations | 1962 | Winners in 13 events (2023) | 2024 | Annual | Championships are not held for Olympic/Paralympic events in Summer Olympic/Paralympic years |
World Rowing Cup | Nations | 1997 | Winners in varying numbers of events per stage (2023) | 2024 | Annual | Three stages | |
World Indoor Rowing Championships | Individual and teams | 2018 | Winners in 54 events (2024) | 2025 | Annual | ||
Rugby league | Rugby League World Cup | Nations | 1954 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | Quadrennial after 2013, Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rugby union | Rugby World Cup | Nations | 1987 | ![]() |
2027 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
World Wheelchair Rugby Championships | Nations | 1995 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | ||
Rugby sevens | Rugby World Cup Sevens | Nations | 1993 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | In June 2013, World Rugby (then known as the International Rugby Board) announced that it had reconsidered a previous decision to scrap the Rugby World Cup Sevens. After 2013, the next event will be in 2018, and will be held quadrennially afterwards.[5] |
Sailing | World championships in sailing | Individuals and Pairs | N/A | N/A | N/A | Multiple Annual | Sailing hold multiple male only events See Here mainly in the Olympic discipline |
Sambo | World Sambo Championships | Individuals | 1973 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |
Sambo World Cup | Individuals | (2020) | 2021 | Annual | |||
Beach Sambo | World Beach Sambo Championships | Individuals | 2021 | All-Russian sambo federation (2021) | 2022 | Annual | |
Sepak Takraw | ISTAF World Cup | Nations | 2011 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | |
King's Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship | Nations | 1985 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
Shooting | ISSF World Shooting Championships | Individuals and nations | 1897 | Winners in 18 events
(2018) |
2022 | Quadrennial | |
ISSF World Shotgun Championships | Individuals and nations | 1934 | Winners in 6 events (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
ISSF World Running Target Championships | Individuals | 1961 | (2019) | 2021 | Quadrennial | ||
ISSF World Cup | Individuals | 1986 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Shooting Para Sport Championships | Individuals | 1994 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
Shuttlecock | World Shuttlecock Championships | Individuals and Nations | 2003 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | |
Skateboarding | World Skateboarding Championship | Park | 2016 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Street | 2010 | ![]() |
2022 | ||||
Skeleton | FIBT World Championships | Individual | 1930 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Not held in Winter Olympic years. |
IBSF Para Sport World Championship | Nations | 2016 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
Ski jumping | FIS Nordic World Ski Championships | Individuals normal hill | 1962 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Individuals large hill | 1925 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
National Team normal hill | 2001 | ![]() |
Defunct | Biennial | Not held in 2007 and 2009, after 2011 mixed team replaced this event | ||
National Team large hill | 1962 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
FIS Ski-Flying World Championships | Individuals | 1972 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | ||
National Team | 2004 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |||
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup | Individuals | 1979 | ![]() |
2021–22 | Annual | ||
Ski mountaineering | World Championships of Ski Mountaineering | Nations, individuals, teams, relays, long distances | 2002 | Winners in 5 events (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | Relays held since 2004; Long Distance only 2008. |
Snooker | World Snooker Championship | Individuals | 1927 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | This championship is open to both sexes, but no woman has ever won the event.[6] Most wins in modern era: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
IBSF World Snooker Championship | Individuals | 1963 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | Also known as the World Amateur Snooker Championship | |
Six-red World Championship | Individuals | 2008 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | ||
Snooker World Cup | Individuals | 1979 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
Snowboarding | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Big air | 2003 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Slopestyle | 2011 | ![]() |
|||||
Halfpipe | 1996 | ![]() |
|||||
Snowboard cross | 1997 | ![]() |
|||||
Parallel slalom | 1996 | ![]() |
|||||
Parallel giant slalom | 1999 | ![]() |
|||||
FIS Snowboard World Cup | Individuals | 1994 | (2020–21) | 2021–22 | Annual | ||
World Para Snowboard Championships | Individuals | 2015 | Winners in 6 Events (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
Softball | Men's Softball World Championship | Nations | 1966 | ![]() |
2025 | Triennial | Quadrennially from 1970 to 2010, biennially till 2019, now triennially |
Speed skating | World Allround Speed Skating Championships | Individuals | 1889 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |
World Sprint Speed Skating Championships | Individuals | 1970 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
World Single Distance Championships | 500m | 1995 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | InWinter Olympic years, the World Single Distance Championships are not held. | |
1000m | ![]() | ||||||
1500m | ![]() | ||||||
5000m | ![]() | ||||||
10000m | ![]() | ||||||
Team Pursuit | 2005 | ![]() | |||||
Team Sprint | 2019 | 2021 Not Take Place | |||||
Mass start | 2015 | ![]() | |||||
World Short Track Speed Skating Championships | 500m | 1976 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Although the International Skating Union did not conduct an official World Short Track Championship until 1981, it began organising international events in 1976. All annual ISU-sanctioned international championships from 1976 to 1980 are now retrospectively recognised as World Championships. | |
1000m | ![]() | ||||||
1500m | ![]() | ||||||
3000m | Defunct | ||||||
5000m Relay | ![]() | ||||||
Overall | ![]() | ||||||
World Short Track Speed Skating Team Championships | Nations | 1991 | ![]() |
Discontinued after 2011 | Annual | ||
Soft Tennis | World Soft Tennis Championships | Individuals and Nations | 1975 | (2019) | 2023 | Quadrennial | |
Squash | PSA World Championship | Individuals | 1976 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | |
World International Doubles Squash Championships | Doubles teams | 1997 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | ||
WSF World Team Squash Championships | Nations | 1967 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | 2021 Championship cancelled | |
Sumo | Sumo World Championships | Openweight | 1992 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |
Heavyweight | ![]() |
||||||
Light Heavyweight | ![]() |
||||||
Middleweight | ![]() |
||||||
Lightweight | ![]() |
||||||
Team | ![]() |
||||||
Surfing | World Surfing Championship | Individuals | 1964 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | |
Table tennis | World Table Tennis Championships | Singles | 1926 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | |
Doubles | ![]() |
||||||
World Team Table Tennis Championships | Nations | 1926 | ![]() |
2024 | Biennial | ||
World Para Table Tennis Championships | Individuals | 1990 | Winners in 16 events (2022) | 2026 | Quadrennial | ||
Nations | 1990 | Winners in 11 events (2017) | Quadrennial | ||||
Taekwondo | World Taekwondo Championships | Individuals | 1973 | Winners in 8 events (2019) | 2022 | Biennial | |
Nations | ![]() |
||||||
World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships | Individuals and Teams | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |||
Tchoukball | World Tchoukball Championship | Nations | 1970 | ![]() |
2021 | Biennial | |
Teqball | Teqball World Championships | Individuals | 2017 | (2021) | 2022 | annual | |
Ten-pin bowling | WTBA World Tenpin Bowling Championships | Nations | 1954 | Most medals: ![]() |
2022 | Annual | Biennially until 2010 |
QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup | Individuals | 1965 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
Tennis | Davis Cup | Nations | 1900 | Canada | 2022 | Annual | Note: The Davis Cup is not formally a world championship, but is traditionally held as equivalent in status. Only the teams in the World Group actually compete for the Davis Cup proper; other teams play to (eventually) reach the World Group. Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
World Team Cup | Nations | 1978 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | ||
Touch Football | Touch Football World Cup | Nations | 1988 | ![]() |
2023 | Quadrennial | |
Triathlon | World Triathlon Series | Individuals | 1989 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
World Triathlon Long Distance Championships | Individuals | 1994 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Triathlon Duathlon Championships | Individuals | 1990 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Triathlon Long Distance Duathlon Championships | Individuals | 1997 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Triathlon Aquathlon Championships | Individuals | 1998 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Triathlon Winter Championships | Individuals | 1997 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Triathlon Cross Championships | Individuals | 2011 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Triathlon Cup | Individuals | 1978 | ![]() |
Annual | Since 2009 World Cup champions are no longer decided. | ||
Ironman World Championship | Individuals | 1991 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
Ironman 70.3 World Championship | Individuals | 2006 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | ||
Tug of war | TWIF Indoor World Championships | Nations | 1976 | Winners in various weight classes (2019) | 2022 | Biennial | |
TWIF Outdoor World Championships | Nations | 1976 | Winners in various weight classes (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | ||
Underwater Hockey | Underwater Hockey World Championships | Nations | 1980 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | Most wins: ![]() |
Volleyball | FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship | Nations | 1949 | ![]() |
2026 | Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup | Nations | 1965 | ![]() |
Quadrennial | Most wins: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
FIVB Volleyball World Grand Champions Cup | Nations | 1993 | ![]() |
Quadrennial | |||
FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League | Nations | 2018 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | It replaced the FIVB Volleyball World League (1990–2017) | |
FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship | Clubs | 1989 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
World Para Volleyball Championship | Nations | 1983 | ![]() |
2022 | Quadrennial | ||
Vocotruyen | Vocotruyen World Championships | Individuals | 2016 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Vovinam | World Vovinam Championships | Individuals | 2002 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | |
Wakeboard | World Wakeboard Championship | Individuals | 1994 | (2022) | 2023 | Annual | |
Wake Surfing | World Wake Surfing Championship | Individuals | 2004 | (2022) | 2023 | Annual | |
Water Ski | Water Ski World Championships | Individuals | 1949 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Weightlifting | World Weightlifting Championships | 55 kg | 1891 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
61 kg | ![]() |
||||||
67 kg | ![]() |
||||||
73 kg | ![]() |
||||||
81 kg | ![]() |
||||||
89 kg | ![]() |
||||||
96 kg | ![]() |
||||||
102 kg | ![]() |
||||||
109 kg | ![]() |
||||||
+109 kg | ![]() |
||||||
Windsurfing | Windsurfing World Championships | Individuals | 1980 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Woodball | Woodball World Cup | Individuals | 2004 | (2020) | 2022 | Biennual | |
Wrestling (amateur) | World Wrestling Championships | Individuals and Nations | 1904 | (2021) | 2022 | Annual | Not held in Summer Olympic years. |
Wrestling World Cup (freestyle) | Nations | 1973 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Wrestling World Cup (Greco-Roman) | Nations | 1980 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Wushu | World Wushu Championships | Individuals | 1991 | Winners in 24 events (2019) | 2023 | Biennial | |
World Traditional Wushu Championships | Individuals | 2004 | (2019) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
World Taijiquan Championships | Individuals | 2014 | (2018) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
Sanda World Cup | Individuals | 2002 | (2018) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
Taolu World Cup | Individuals | 2016 | (2018) | 2022 | Biennial |
Sport | Competition name | Competing entities | First held |
Current holder | Next | Frequency | Details and notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aquatic | FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) | 4×50 m Mixed freestyle relay | 1993 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
4×50 m Mixed medley relay | 1993 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
Archery | World Archery Championships | Team recurve male – female pair |
1931 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Team compound male – female pair |
1995 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |||
Badminton | BWF World Championships | Mixed Doubles | 1977 | ![]() |
2025 | Annual | Not held in Summer Olympic years. |
Sudirman Cup | Nations | 1989 | ![]() |
2025 | Biennial | ||
BWF Para-Badminton World Championships | Mixed Doubles | 1998 | Winners in 3 events (2024) | 2026 | Biennial | ||
Basketball | FIBA 3x3 World Championships | National teams of two men and two women |
2012 | ![]() |
Defunct | Three players are on the court at any one time | |
Biathlon | Biathlon World Championships | 4 × 7.5 km M+W relay | 2005 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | Not held in the Winter Olympic Years |
6 km M + 7.5 km W single relay | 2021 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | Not held in the Winter Olympic Years | ||
Bowls | World Indoor Bowls Championships | Mixed Pairs | 2004 | ![]() ![]() |
2023 | Annual | |
Cheerleading | The Cheerleading Worlds | Mixed teams | GymTyme All-Stars Chrome (2021) | 2022 | Annual | ||
Cycling | UCI Mountain Bike World Championships | Cross-country Team relay | 1999 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
UCI Urban Cycling World Championships | Team trials | 1999 | (2019) | 2021 | Annual | ||
Curling | World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship | National mixed teams male – female pair |
2008 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | 2020 cancellation |
World Mixed Curling Championship | National mixed teams (4 players) | 2015 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | 2020–2022 championships were cancelled | |
World Wheelchair Curling Championship | National mixed teams (5 players) | 2002 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | 2021 was postponed to October | |
World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship | National mixed teams (2 players) | 2022 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | Inaugural event pushed from 2021 to 2022 | |
Diving | World Diving Championships | Individuals | 1973 | Winners in 5 events (2019) | 2022 | Biennial | |
Dragon and Lion Dance | World Dragon and Lion Dance Championships | Teams | (2018) | 2021 | Biennial | ||
Equestrian | Dressage World Cup | Individuals | 1986 | ![]() |
2022–23 | Annual | |
World Four-in-Hand Championships | Teams and Individuals | 1972 | ![]() ![]() |
2020 | Biennial | ||
Mounted Games World Individual Championships | Individuals | 1986 | ![]() |
2020 | Annual | ||
Mounted Games World Pairs Championships | Pairs | 1992 | ![]() ![]() |
2020 | Annual | ||
Mounted Games World Team Championships | Team | 1986 | ![]() |
2020 | Annual | ||
Show Jumping World Cup | Individuals | 1979 | ![]() |
2020 | Annual | ||
FEI Endurance World Championship | Individuals | (2018) | 2021 | Biennial | |||
Flying disc | WFDF World Overall Championships | Individuals | (2019) | Annual | |||
WFDF World Ultimate and Guts Championship | Individuals | (2019) | 2020 | Annual | |||
Figure skating | World Figure Skating Championships | National pairs male – female pair from the same nation |
1908 | (FSR) Anastasia Mishina & Aleksandr Galliamov (2022) | 2023 | Annual | |
Ice Dance male – female pair from the same nation |
1952 | (FSR) Victoria Sinitsina & Nikita Katsalapov (2022) | 2023 | ||||
Gymnastics | Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships | Teams | 2016 | (RGF) (2021) | 2023 | Biennial | |
Mixed pairs | 1974 | ||||||
Inline speed skating | World Inline speed skating Championships | Teams | 1937 | ![]() |
2021 | Annual | |
Korfball | IKF World Korfball Championship | 4 females and 4 males | 1978 | ![]() (2019) |
2023 | Quadrennial | |
Modern Pentathlon | World Modern Pentathlon Championships | Mixed Relay | 2001 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Luge | FIL World Luge Championships | Nations | 1989 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships | Nations | 2001 | 2021 | Biennial | Not held in 2015, 2017 and 2019 | ||
Modern Pentathlon | UIPM Biathle-Triathle World Championships | Nationals | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | ||
Nine-pin bowling | Nine-pin bowling Single's World Championships | Mixed tandems | 2004 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | First time held in 2004. After division of the championships, added to the Team Worlds (2005 & 2007). Since 2008 in Single's World Championships program. |
Orienteering | World Orienteering Championships | Sprint relay | 2014 | TBA | Annual | Not held in 2019 | |
Pétanque | Pétanque World Championships | Nations | 2017 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Quidditch | IQA World Cup | Nations | 2012 | ![]() (2018) |
2022 | Biennial | Quidditch has rules based on gender, not sex, calling itself a mixed-gender sport |
Rogaining | World Rogaining Championships | Nations | 1992 | ![]() |
2022 | Biennial | |
Rowing | World Rowing Championships | PR2 Mixed double sculls 1 Male & 1 Female |
2013 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | |
PR3 Mixed double sculls 1 Male & 1 Female |
2013 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | |||
PR3 Mixed coxed four 2 Male & 2 Female plus an open coxswain |
2013 | ![]() |
2024 | Annual | |||
World Indoor Rowing Championships | Mixed 2000 m relay 2 Male & 2 Female |
2018 | ![]() |
2025 | Annual | ||
Sailing | IFDS SKUD 18 World Championship | Female or Mixed Pair | 2007 | ![]() |
? | Annual? | |
Mixed Nacra 17 World Championship | Male and Female Pair | 2013 | (2019) | 2020 | Annual | ||
Mixed Offshore Doubles World Championship | Male and Female Pair | 2021 | Annual | ||||
Synchronized skating | ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships | Teams | 2000 | ![]() |
2023 | Annual | |
Table tennis | World Table Tennis Championships | Mixed doubles | 1926 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
World Para Table Tennis Championships | Mixed doubles | 1990 | Winners in 7 events (2022) | 2026 | Quadrennial | ||
Tennis | Hopman Cup | National teams male – female pair |
1989 | ![]() |
Defunct | Annual | Competitions are played in traditional order: women's singles, men's singles, and mixed doubles |
United Cup | National teams of men and women | 2024 | ![]() |
2025 | Annual | ||
Teqball | Teqball World Championships | Nations | 2017 | ![]() |
2023 | Biennial | |
Triathlon | World Triathlon Mixed Relay Championships | National teams of two men and two women | 2003 | ![]() |
2022 | Annual | |
Tug of war | TWIF Indoor World Championships | Nations | 1976 | Winners in various weight classes (2020) | 2022 | Biennial | |
TWIF Outdoor World Championships | Nations | 1976 | Winners in various weight classes (2018) | 2022 | Biennial | ||
Wheelchair handball | IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship | Nations | 2020 | 2022 | Annual until 2022 |
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Winter sports |
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World championships in the 21st century
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