SÃO PAULO — World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) has officially awarded the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship to the Brazilian city of São Paulo, marking the first time the sport's premier tournament will be staged in South America. The event is scheduled for August 15–24, 2026, at the Brazilian Paralympic Training Center.

Twelve national teams—including powerhouses from the United States, Australia, Japan, and Great Britain—will compete for the world title. The announcement coincides with Brazil's long-term strategy to elevate adaptive sport domestically and build momentum toward qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

"The awarding of the World Championship to Brazil is a landmark moment for inclusion in our region," said WWR President Richard Allcroft. "Fans in São Paulo will witness elite athleticism that redefines what a wheelchair represents—not a limitation, but a platform for speed, contact, and courage." The tournament is expected to draw record crowds and spur further investment in wheelchair-accessible venues across the city.