A panoramic view of Golden Beach in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/VCG]

Qingdao will host the 2026 World Rowing Coastal Championships and World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in October, the first time the city will stage the two world-level rowing events in the same year.

The World Rowing Coastal Championships will take place from Oct 9 to 13, followed by the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals from Oct 16 to 21, according to a news conference held on Sept 28.

Both competitions will be staged off Golden Beach in Qingdao West Coast New Area.

Organized by World Rowing, the annual events bring together leading athletes in coastal rowing and beach sprint rowing. This year's competitions will feature 17 events across men's, women's, mixed and para categories, including single and double sculls.

Qingdao was awarded the hosting rights in 2024 with support from the Chinese Rowing Association. Preparations have since been underway in coordination with World Rowing.

The competitions will further expand Qingdao's international water sports calendar. The coastal city has hosted 13 major international marine sports events and developed 25 of its own marine sports competitions in recent years.

Earlier in September, more than 3,000 athletes from 13 countries and regions took part in the Qingdao International Sailing Week and China (Qingdao) International Marine Sports Conference.