Para Climbing, Boulder, Lead. The only event featuring more medal decisions in a single week is a World Championship. And when it comes to atmosphere and emotions, no World Cup can quite match Innsbruck. “I’m proud to be Austrian, proud to be from Innsbruck. This World Cup is the absolute benchmark – and I’m not saying that because it’s my hometown. Every athlete loves coming here, everyone enjoys the atmosphere. It’s simply awesome,” said Jakob Schubert after securing a podium finish in Lead.
The sixth edition under the current World Cup format once again delivered on its promise: world-class performances and a truly unforgettable atmosphere. At the same time, the event continues to evolve. One of this year’s highlights was the new LED wall on the Boulder stage, which received enthusiastic feedback from spectators. “It adds tremendous value for the fans on site, and many people specifically mentioned it to us. The LED wall takes the overall event experience to another level,” said Julia Pinggera, World Cup Manager at the Austrian Climbing Federation.
17,000 spectators create unforgettable atmosphere
The outdoor arena at the Innsbruck Climbing Center, with a capacity of 3,000 spectators, was packed every day. All four ticketed sessions sold out, while thousands more attended the free daytime competitions. In total, more than 17,000 fans visited the event throughout the week. The supporting programme, including the Expo Area, Tom Öhler’s bike show and the Talent Cup, also proved highly popular.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Weekly passes sold out within 30 minutes, and day tickets were snapped up very quickly as well,” said Pinggera. Once again, the success of the event was made possible by an experienced organizing team, dedicated volunteers and countless people working behind the scenes. “Thank you to the entire team and everyone who contributed. Seeing how everybody plays their part in making this week a success is truly overwhelming,” Pinggera added.
Garnbret: “I love Innsbruck”
What about the athletes’ feedback? Top marks across the board. Two-time Olympic champion Janja Garnbret (SLO), who only competes in selected World Cups, made sure Innsbruck was on her schedule. The Slovenian superstar provided the perfect finale on Sunday evening by claiming her 50th World Cup victory in Lead and spoke emotionally afterwards. “I love Innsbruck. This place always brings out the best in me. I can feel the power of the fans.”
Like Garnbret, Czech superstar Adam Ondra only competes in selected World Cups. This year, he returned to Innsbruck – partly thanks to his friend Jakob Schubert. “Jakob is always telling me how amazing the Innsbruck World Cup is. And I have to say: he’s right. The atmosphere, the crowd, the fans – it felt like a World Championship.”
Looking ahead
The home World Cup also provided a valuable opportunity for many Austrian athletes to gain experience at the highest level. “The home World Cup is a huge opportunity for our young athletes. They can compete against the world’s best in front of a home crowd, gain invaluable experience and see firsthand what is possible in international climbing. Experiences like these are incredibly important for their long-term development,” said Austrian Climbing Federation CEO Heiko Wilhelm.
After a short break, attention is already turning to the future. “The World Climbing Series Innsbruck 2026 once again demonstrated what can be achieved when many people work together towards a common goal. We experienced an event of the highest international standard that was exceptionally well received by athletes, fans and partners alike. Organising a World Cup always comes with challenges and can be demanding, particularly in coordination with the International Federation. That makes it even more rewarding to see Innsbruck once again showcase what modern climbing events can look like. This is exactly the kind of stage our sport needs to continue growing and inspiring even more people,” Wilhelm concluded.
