- 9. March 2026
Preparations for the IFA U18 Fistball World Championship in July 2026 are already in full swing. The event is hosted by SwissFaustball and organized by Turnverein STV Vordemwald at the sports facility in Reiden (Canton of Lucerne). The U18 World Championship is designed as a joint event together with the Women’s European Championship.
With just under five months to go until the major international youth highlight in Fistball, the world’s best U18 national teams will compete in Reiden (Switzerland) from 23 to 26 July 2026 for the world championship titles in the men’s and women’s competitions. At the same time, the Women’s European Championship will take place on 24 and 25 July, creating a double top-level sporting spectacle at the Kleinfeld sports complex.
Teams from Five Continents
A total of 18 teams from around the world are expected to take part. In the U18 men’s competition, defending champion Germany (World Champion 2024), Austria (Bronze 2024), Switzerland, Brazil (Silver 2024), Chile, Namibia, Kenya (first appearance at a U18 World Championship), New Zealand (first appearance at a U18 World Championship), and India will compete. Teams from Europe, Pan-America, Africa, Oceania, and Asia will therefore be represented. The U18 women’s field also promises exciting competition. Defending champion Austria (World Champion 2024) will face Germany (Silver 2024), Switzerland (Bronze 2024), the Czech Republic, Italy, Brazil, Chile, India, and Kenya.
For IFA President Gastao Englert, the tournament has special significance: “The U18 World Championships are one of the most important investments in the future of our sport. These young athletes represent the next generation of international Fistball, and events like this provide them with a global stage where they can grow, compete, and build connections across continents.”
Ticket Sales Started – Free Entry on Thursday
Official ticket sales for the U18 World Championship and the Women’s European Championship 2026 started in December. Fans can purchase single-day tickets for individual match days or a three-day pass for the entire weekend. Admission on Thursday (23 July) is free. Attractive group discounts are also available for groups of ten or more.
In addition to exciting preliminary, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final matches, visitors can look forward to a comprehensive side program highlighting the event atmosphere. The Kids Day on Thursday is specifically aimed at young sports enthusiasts and families. On Friday and Saturday evenings, a DJ in the festival tent with bar service will provide a lively party atmosphere. Entry to the evening events is free and possible even without a match ticket. This will turn the stadium area not only into a sporting stage but also into a meeting place for the entire region.
The organizers have also taken care of logistical aspects: parking tickets can already be booked online in advance, making arrival easier and reducing waiting times. Camping vouchers for tents, motorhomes, and caravans are also available for those who wish to stay close to the event. In addition, hotels in the nearby historic town center of Zofingen offer special rates for visitors. The stadium itself features a main grandstand with seating as well as spacious standing areas around the three competition fields. A daily ticket provides access to the entire venue and all matches scheduled for that day.
Intensive Organizational Preparations
Under the leadership of OC Chairman Luca Flückiger, the organizing committee of STV Vordemwald is working intensively to deliver the major event. Infrastructure planning is already well advanced, and discussions with authorities, partners, and service providers are progressing smoothly. “For many of the young athletes, this will be their first major international event,” says Flückiger, who has participated in numerous Fistball competitions as both a player and a coach. “We want to provide perfect playing conditions for everyone involved, but also ensure that they feel completely comfortable and safe off the field as well.” Fans, too, should enjoy great days in Reiden. “We also hope to welcome many additional spectators from the region alongside the Fistball community,” says the OC chairman. “Especially in the Lucerne region, the sport is less widely known. This is exactly where we want to start and show how attractive Fistball is to watch and how family-oriented the Fistball community is.”
Sönke Spille, Head of Events of the IFA and Competition Manager of the event, also emphasizes the has already been made in the preparations: “The professional and structured planning of the organizers in Reiden is remarkable,” he says. “You can feel how much passion is going into this project. The cooperation is extremely constructive, and we are confident that the teams will find optimal conditions and that together with all the fans we will experience a great Fistball festival.”