2026 SUP World Cup is coming to Torbay

The five-day event is expected to attract around 200 of the world’s best athletes, as well as up to a thousand other paddlers who will take part in a SUPER Festival of paddling.

It’s less than one year to go until the 2026 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup, taking place on the English Riviera next summer. Head over to the Paddle UK SUPER Festival website. Register your interest in attending: https://superfestival.paddleuk.org.uk/ The event will be held from 24 to 28 June 2026 on the stunning waters of the English Riviera, Torbay, which has become a go-to spot for SUP in England.

The five-day event is expected to attract around 200 of the world’s best athletes, as well as up to a thousand other paddlers who will take part in a SUPER Festival of paddling, which will showcase the breadth of SUP from recreational paddlers to elite competition.

The SUP World Cup is being backed by local partners and sponsors, including the English Riviera Business Improvement District (BID) Company and Torbay Council, who were in attendance at the milestone event that took place on Torquay Inner Harbour.

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events, said: “I am proud to be a part of the SUP World Cup’ one year to go’ celebration event. It is the perfect way to showcase our beautiful Bay worldwide.

“As one of the UK’s premier coastal resorts, we look forward to offering a warm welcome to the many competitors next year. We’re looking forward to welcoming the teams and visitors that the event will attract from around the world to our sparkling waters and award-winning beaches.

“We are sure they will appreciate the results of our work with partners and our whole community to deliver an ongoing exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability, water quality, safety, and beach management across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.”

Carolyn Custerson, CEO of English Riviera BID Company, added, “We are incredibly proud to welcome the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup to the English Riviera in 2026, and this is a significant opportunity to showcase the English Riviera to a global audience.

“This world-class event will not only offer an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get on the water and enjoy our beautiful coastline, but it will also further elevate our international profile as a year-round destination and bring real economic benefits to our local businesses and hospitality sector.”
Paddle UK was awarded the World Cup event in March, following an announcement made by the International Canoe Federation (ICF).

It is the first time that an ICF Stand Up Paddling event of this scale will be held in the UK and the first since Paddle UK was announced as a governing body for the sport in February 2023.

Ashley Metcalfe, Chief Executive of Paddle UK, said, “I am delighted to be visiting the English Riviera and celebrating the ‘one year to go’ milestone with our local partners, businesses, sponsors and paddlers.
“We are looking forward to developing our plans over the next 12 months, to deliver an excellent SUP World Cup and Paddle UK SUPER Festival, that will support our growth for stand-up paddling and promote the English Riviera as a SUP destination.”

To keep up to date with the Paddle UK SUPER Festival and the 2026 ICF SUP World Cup, register your interest today.