In just one month, Europe’s best freestyle paddlers will gather in Lieksa, Finland, for the 2026 Paddle Europe Freestyle Championships. The event will take place at the renowned Neitikoski whitewater venue in the Ruunaa region, marking the first time the Canoe Freestyle European Championships are hosted in Finland.
Surrounded by the unique landscapes of the Finnish wilderness, Neitikoski offers clean water, powerful features, and demanding conditions that promise an exciting week of high-level freestyle action. Athletes from across Europe will compete for continental titles, showcasing technical precision, creativity, and dynamic performances on one of Northern Europe’s most iconic whitewater venues.
This will be the first European Championships of the season, from a calendar of ten events across Europe.
The championships schedule will be:
10–11 June 2026 — Preliminaries
12 June 2026 — Semi-Finals
13 June 2026 — Finals
Beyond the competition itself, the event aims to celebrate the spirit of the freestyle community, bringing together athletes, teams, volunteers, and spectators in a welcoming international atmosphere. With elite sport combined with the natural beauty of Finland, the championships are expected to deliver unforgettable moments both on and off the water.
More information will be available soon on the official event website
here.
9.5.2026
