| Sport
| Competition name
| Competing entities
| First
held
| Current holder
| Next
| Frequency
| Details and notes |
|---|
| Alpine skiing |
FIS Alpine World Ski Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1931 |
Winners in 5 events (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
|
| FIS Alpine Ski World Cup |
Individuals |
1967 |
 Marco Odermatt (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Nations |
Switzerland
(2024–25) |
| American football |
IFAF World Championship |
Nations |
1999 |
 United States (2015) |
2025 |
Quadrennial |
Not held in 2019 |
| Armwrestling |
World Armwrestling Championship |
Individuals |
1979 |
Winners in 22 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Aquatics |
Swimming at the World Aquatics Championships |
Individuals[R] |
1973 |
Winners in 20 events (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Diving at the World Aquatics Championships |
Individuals |
1973 |
Winners in 5 events (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Synchronised swimming at the World Aquatics Championships |
Individuals |
2023 |
Winners in 2 events (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Open water swimming at the World Aquatics Championships |
Individuals |
1991 |
Winners in 2 events (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| High diving at the World Aquatics Championships |
Individuals |
2013 |
 Aidan Heslop (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) |
Individuals[R] |
1993 |
Winners in 21 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| World Aquatics Swimming World Cup |
Individuals |
1988–89 |
 Léon Marchand (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Aquatics Diving World Cup |
Individuals |
1979 |
Winners in 4 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| FINA Marathon Swim World Series |
Individuals |
2007 |
Marc-Antoine Olivier (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series |
Individuals |
2009 |
Aidan Heslop (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Archery |
World Archery Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1931 |
Winners in 4 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Archery World Cup |
Individual recurve |
2006 |
 Kim Woo-jin (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Individual compound |
James Lutz (2024) |
| World Field Archery Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1969 |
Winners in 4 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Athletics |
World Athletics Championships |
Individuals[R] |
1983 |
Winners in 24 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
1983–1991 held quadrennially, biennially starting 1993 |
| World Athletics Indoor Championships |
Individuals[R] |
1985 |
Winners in 13 events (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| World Athletics Cross Country Championships |
Individuals |
1973 |
 Jacob Kiplimo (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Nations |
 Kenya (2024) |
| World Mountain and Trail Running Championships |
Individuals |
1985
2007 |
Winners in 10 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| World Athletics Road Running Championships |
Individuals |
1992 |
Sabastian Sawe (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
Annually until 2010 |
| Team |
1992 |
Kenya (2023) |
| World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships |
Individual & Nations |
1961 |
Winners in 4 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| World Athletics Relays |
Nations |
2014 |
Winners in 2 events (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| IAU 50 km World Championships |
Individuals |
2005 |
 Chakib Lachgar (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
2017, 2018 not held |
| IAU 100 km World Championships |
Individuals |
1987 |
 Jumpei Yamaguchi (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| IAU 24 Hour World Championship |
Individuals |
2001 |
 Aleksandr Sorokin (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Nations |
2003 |
Lithuania (2023) |
| Badminton |
BWF World Championships |
Singles |
1977 |
 Kunlavut Vitidsarn (2023) |
2025 |
Annual |
Annually since 2006; Not held in Summer Olympic years |
| Doubles |
Kang Min-hyuk & Seo Seung-jae (2023) |
| Thomas Cup |
Nations |
1949 |
 China (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
Since 1984, it has been held concurrently with the women's Uber Cup. Most wins:  Indonesia 14, China 11,  Malaysia 5 |
| Ball Hockey |
Ball Hockey World Championship |
Nations |
1996 |
 Canada (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Bandy |
Bandy World Championship |
Nations |
1957 |
 Sweden (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
The second Bandy WCs were held in 1961; from that point, the championships were held biennially until 2003; and annually ever since |
| Baseball |
World Baseball Classic |
Nations |
2006 |
Japan (2023) |
2026 |
Triennial |
Started in 1938 (as IBAF Baseball World Cup).
Restarted in 2006; the first two of these modern WBCs (MLB approved and sanctioned by WBSC) were separated by three years (2006, 2009).
Moved to quadrennially until 2017. 2021 postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most wins: Japan 3,  Dominican Republic and United States 1 |
| WBSC Premier12 |
Nations |
2015 |
 Chinese Taipei (2024) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
|
| Baseball5 |
Baseball5 World Cup |
Nations |
2024 |
 Cuba (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Basketball |
FIBA Basketball World Cup |
Nations |
1950 |
 Germany (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
After 2019, the FIBA Basketball World Cup (but not the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup) was reset on a new quadrennial cycle.
The 2014 (men's) World Cup was followed by the 2019 World Cup, avoiding conflict with the FIFA World Cup.
Most wins: United States 5,  Yugoslavia 5,  Soviet Union 3 |
| FIBA 3x3 World Cup |
Nations |
2012 |
 Serbia (2023) |
2025 |
Annual |
Biennial until 2016 |
| FIBA Intercontinental Cup |
Clubs |
1966 |
Unicaja (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Beach handball |
World Men's Beach Handball Championship |
Nations |
2004 |
 Croatia (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Beach soccer |
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup |
Nations |
2005 |
 Brazil (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
Most wins: Brazil 7,  Russia 3,  Portugal 2 |
| Beach tennis |
Beach Tennis World Championship |
Individuals |
2009 |
André Baran &
 Michele Cappelletti (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Beach volleyball |
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships |
Nations |
1997 |
 Perušič – Schweiner (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Beach wrestling |
World Beach Wrestling Championships |
Individuals |
2006 |
Winners in 4 weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Biathlon |
Biathlon World Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1958 |
Winners in 5 events (2025) |
2027 |
Annual |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| Summer Biathlon World Championships |
Individuals |
1996 |
Winners in 3 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Cancelled in 2020 |
| Biathlon World Cup |
Individuals overall |
1977–78 |
 Sturla Holm Lægreid (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Nations |
2000–01 |
France (2024–25) |
| Billiards & Pool |
World Billiards Championship (English billiards) |
Individuals |
1870 |
 David Causier (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| WPA World Eight-ball Championship |
Individuals |
2004 |
Joshua Filler (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| WPA World Blackball Championship |
Individuals |
2006 |
Gavin Robinson (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| WPA World Nine-ball Championship |
Individuals |
1990 |
Fedor Gorst (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| WPA World Ten-ball Championship |
Individuals |
2008 |
 Carlo Biado (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Bobsleigh |
IBSF World Championships |
Four man |
1930 |
Francesco Friedrich
Matthias Sommer
Alexander Schüller
Felix Straub (2025) |
2027 |
Annual |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| Two man |
1931 |
Francesco Friedrich & Alexander Schüller (2025) |
| Bobsleigh World Cup |
Individuals |
1984–85 |
Francesco Friedrich (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
Bowling
(ten-pin) |
PBA World Championship |
Individuals |
1960 |
E. J. Tackett (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup |
Individuals |
1965 |
Du Jianchao (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| Bowls |
World Bowls Championship |
Individuals and Nations |
1966 |
Winners in 5 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| World Indoor Bowls Championships |
Singles |
1979 |
 Jason Banks (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| Pairs |
Jason Banks & Michael Stepney (2025) |
| Boxing |
World Amateur Boxing Championships |
Individuals |
1974 |
Winners in 13 weight classes (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Breakdancing |
Battle of the Year |
Individuals |
2009 |
Phil Wizard (2023) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Red Bull BC One |
Individuals |
2004 |
Hong 10 (2023) |
| Canoeing |
ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships |
Individuals |
1938 |
Winners in 8 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
| ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships |
Individuals and Nations |
1949 |
Winners in 5 events (2023) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held in Summer Olympic years |
| Canoe Slalom World Cup |
Individuals |
1988 |
Winners in 3 disciplines (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| ICF Canoe Polo World Championships |
Nations |
1994 |
Germany (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships |
Individuals |
1988 |
Winners in 6 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Wildwater Canoeing World Championships |
Individuals |
1959 |
Winners in 6 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Catch wrestling |
Snake Pit World Championships |
Individuals |
2018 |
Winners in 8 weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Climbing |
IFSC Climbing World Championships |
Individuals |
1991 |
Winners in 4 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| IFSC Climbing World Cup |
Individuals & Nations |
1989 |
Winners in 3 disciplines (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Cricket |
ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI format) |
Nations |
1975 |
 Australia (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
Most wins: Australia 6,  West Indies 2,  India 2,  Pakistan,  Sri Lanka,
England 1 each |
| ICC Men's T20 World Cup (T20I format) |
Nations |
2007 |
India (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
Biennial until 2016.
Changed from odd-numbered years (2007–2009) to even-numbered years (2010–2016).
Quadrennial 2016–2020. Biennial since 2022.
Most wins: India 2, England 2, West Indies 2, multiple countries 1 |
| ICC World Test Championship (Test format) |
Nations |
2019–21 |
Australia (2021–23) |
2023–25 |
Biennial[a] |
2 year league format concluding with the final |
| ICC Champions Trophy |
Nations |
1998 |
India (2025) |
2029 |
Quadrennial |
Biennial until 2017. Quadrennial since 2025 |
| Cross-country skiing |
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships |
Individuals and Nations |
1925 |
Winners in 6 events (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| FIS Cross-Country World Cup |
Individuals |
1973–74 |
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| CrossFit |
CrossFit Games |
Individuals |
2007 |
James Sprague (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Curling |
World Curling Championships |
Nations |
1959 |
Scotland (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
2020 cancellation, Most wins: Canada 36, Sweden 12, Scotland 7 |
| Cycling |
UCI Road World Championships |
Road race |
1927 |
 Tadej Pogačar (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Time trial |
1994 |
 Remco Evenepoel (2024) |
| UCI Track Cycling World Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1893 |
Winners in 11 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| UCI Mountain Bike World Championships |
Individuals |
1990 |
Winners in 4 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| UCI BMX World Championships |
Individuals |
1982 |
Joris Daudet (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| UCI Urban Cycling World Championships |
Freestyle BMX |
2017 |
Flatland: Matthias Dandois (2024)
Park: Logan Martin (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Trials |
1986 |
Men Elite 20":
Alejandro Montalvo (2024)
Men Elite 26":
Jack Carthy (2024) |
| UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships |
Individuals |
1950 |
 Mathieu van der Poel (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships |
Individuals |
2003 |
 Simon Andreassen (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup |
Individuals & Nations |
2021 |
Great Britain (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| UCI Mountain Bike World Cup |
Cross-country |
1990 |
 Alan Hatherly (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Downhill |
1993 |
Loïc Bruni (2024) |
| UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup |
Individuals |
1993–94 |
Michael Vanthourenhout
(2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| UCI BMX Supercross World Cup |
Individuals |
2010 |
Izaac Kennedy (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Darts |
WDF World Darts Championship |
Individuals |
2022 |
 Shane McGuirk (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| PDC World Darts Championship |
Individuals |
1994 |
Luke Littler (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
Most wins: Phil Taylor 14, Michael van Gerwen 3, Gary Anderson 2 |
| PDC World Cup of Darts |
Doubles |
2010 |
Luke Humphries & Michael Smith (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Most wins: England 4, Netherlands 4,  Wales 2 |
| WDF World Cup |
Nations |
1977 |
Netherlands (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
The WDF World Cup was first contested in 1977, but a women's championship was not added until 1983 |
| Disc golf |
PDGA World Championships |
Individuals |
1982 |
Isaac Robinson (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Dodgeball |
Dodgeball World Championship |
Nations - Foam |
2012 |
United States (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Nations - Cloth |
2019 |
 Austria (2024) |
| Fencing |
World Fencing Championships |
Individuals and Nations |
1921 |
Winners in 6 events (2023) |
2025 |
Annual |
Championships are not held for Olympic events in Summer Olympic years |
| Fencing World Cup |
Foil
Sabre
Épée |
1972 |
 Cheung Ka Long
Oh Sang-uk
Koki Kano
(2023–24) |
2024–25 |
Annual |
|
| Field hockey |
FIH Hockey World Cup |
Nations |
1971 |
Germany (2023) |
2026 |
Quadrennial |
Most wins: Pakistan 4, Netherlands 3, Australia 3, Germany 3 |
| Men's FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup |
Nations |
2003 |
Germany (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
|
| FIH Men's Hockey5s World Cup |
Nations |
2024 |
Netherlands (2024) |
2028 |
Quadrennial |
|
| Figure skating |
World Figure Skating Championships |
Individuals |
1896 |
Ilia Malinin (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating |
Individuals |
1995 |
Ilia Malinin
(2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Finswimming |
Finswimming World Championships |
Individuals |
1976 |
Winners in 17 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Fistball |
Fistball World Championships |
Nations |
1968 |
Germany (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
|
| Flag football |
IFAF Flag Football World Championship |
Nations |
2002 |
United States (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Floorball |
World Floorball Championships |
Nations |
1996 |
 Finland (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Freediving |
AIDA World Championship |
Individuals |
2005 |
(2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Team |
1996 |
(2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Freerunning & Parkour |
Parkour World Championships |
Individuals |
2022 |
Winners in 2 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Freestyle Football |
WFFA World Championships |
Individuals |
2017 |
(2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Freestyle Skiing |
FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships |
Individuals |
1986 |
Winners in 7 events (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup |
Individuals |
1980 |
Winners in 9 disciplines (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Football |
FIFA World Cup |
Nations |
1930 |
 Argentina (2022) |
2026 |
Quadrennial |
Most wins: Brazil 5, Germany 4, Italy 4 |
| FIFA Club World Cup |
Clubs |
2000 |
Manchester City (2023) |
2025 |
Quadrennial |
Annual until 2023, Most wins: Real Madrid 5, Barcelona 3, Bayern Munich 2,
Corinthians 2 |
| FIFA Intercontinental Cup |
Clubs |
2024 |
Real Madrid (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Futsal |
FIFA Futsal World Cup |
Nations |
1989 |
Brazil (2024) |
2028 |
Quadrennial |
Most wins: Brazil 6, Spain 2, Argentina 1, Portugal 1 |
| AMF Futsal World Cup |
Nations |
1982 |
 Paraguay (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
Originally a triennial event, held quadrennially after 2003 |
| Golf |
PGA Tour |
Individuals |
1930 |
Scottie Scheffler (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| PGA European Tour |
Individuals |
1972 |
 Rory McIlroy (2024) |
2025 |
| Gymnastics |
World Artistic Gymnastics Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1903 |
Winners in 8 events (2023) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held in Olympic Years |
| Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships |
Individual & Nations |
1964 |
Winners in 7 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships |
Pair and Group |
1974 |
Winners in 6 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships |
Individuals |
1995 |
Winners in 8 events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Artistic Gymnastics World Cup |
Individuals |
1975 |
Winners in various events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Handball |
IHF World Men's Handball Championship |
Nations |
1938 |
Denmark (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
Most wins: France 6, Sweden 4,  Romania 4, Denmark 4 |
| IHF Super Globe |
Clubs |
1997 |
 Veszprém (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Hyrox |
Hyrox World Championships |
Individuals |
2018–19 |
Alexander Roncevic (2023–24) |
2024–25 |
Annual |
|
| Ice climbing |
UIAA Ice Climbing World Championships |
Lead |
2002 |
Lee Young-geon (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Speed |
2002 |
 Mohammad Reza Safdarian (2024) |
| Ice hockey |
IIHF World Championship |
Nations |
1920 |
Czech Republic (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held from 1940 to 1946 during World War II.
Cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most wins: Canada 28, Soviet Union & Russia 27, Czechoslovakia & Czech Republic 13, Sweden 11 |
| Inline hockey |
FIRS Inline Hockey World Championships |
Nations |
1995 |
United States (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Inline speed skating |
Inline Speed Skating World Championships |
Individuals |
1966 |
Winners in 11 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Judo |
World Judo Championships |
Individuals |
1956 |
Winners in 7 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Ju-jitsu |
Ju-Jitsu World Championships |
Individuals |
1994 |
Winners in 14 weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Kabaddi |
IKF Kabaddi World Cup (standard style) |
Nations |
2004 |
India (2016) |
2025 |
Quadrennial |
|
| Karate |
Karate World Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1970 |
Winners in 8 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Kho Kho |
Kho Kho World Cup |
Nations |
2025 |
India (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| Kickboxing |
W.A.K.O. Amateur Kickboxing World Championships |
Individuals |
1978 |
Winners in various weight classes (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Kurash |
World Kurash Championships |
Individuals |
1999 |
Winners in 7 weight classes (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Lacrosse |
World Lacrosse Championship |
Nations |
1967 |
United States (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
|
| World Lacrosse Box Championships |
Nations |
2003 |
Canada (2024) |
2028 |
Quadrennial |
|
| Luge |
FIL World Luge Championships |
Men's singles |
1955 |
Max Langenhan (2025) |
2027 |
Annual |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| Men's doubles |
1955 |
Hannes Orlamünder & Paul Gubitz (2025) |
| Luge World Cup |
Men's singles |
1977–78 |
Max Langenhan (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Men's doubles |
Tobias Wendl & Tobias Arlt (2024–25) |
| FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships |
Men's singles |
1979 |
Michael Scheikl (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
|
| Men's doubles |
1979 |
Patrick Lambacher & Matthias Lambacher (2025) |
| Minifootball |
WMF World Cup |
Nations |
2015 |
Romania (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Modern pentathlon |
World Modern Pentathlon Championships |
Individual |
1949 |
Csaba Bőhm (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Team |
1949 |
Hungary (2024) |
| Relay |
2004 |
South Korea (2024) |
| Modern Pentathlon World Cup |
Individuals |
1999 |
Winners in 5 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Nordic Combined |
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships |
Individuals & Nation |
1925 |
Winners in 3 events (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
|
| FIS Nordic Combined World Cup |
Individuals |
1983–84 |
Vinzenz Geiger (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Orienteering |
World Orienteering Championships |
Individuals |
1966 |
Winners in 2 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Originally biennially, annually since 2003 |
| Orienteering World Cup |
Individuals |
1986 |
Kasper Fosser (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Unofficial title cups held in 1983 and 1984 (first official cup in 1986); held biennially until 2004, now annually |
| World Ski Orienteering Championships |
Individuals |
1975 |
Winners in various events (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships |
Individuals |
2002 |
Winners in various events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Trail Orienteering Championships |
Individuals |
2004 |
Winners in various events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Padel tennis |
Padel World Championship |
Nations |
1992 |
Argentina (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Pickleball |
World Pickleball Championships |
Nations |
2019 |
(2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Polo |
World Polo Championship |
Nations |
1987 |
Spain (2022) |
2026 |
Triennial |
Most wins: Argentina 5, Brazil 3,  Chile 2 |
| Powerlifting |
World Powerlifting Championship |
Individuals |
2011 |
Winners in various weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Racquetball |
Racquetball World Championships |
Nations |
1981 |
United States (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Rogaining |
World Rogaining Championships |
Pairs |
1992 |
 Timmo Tammemäe & Sander Linnus (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Roll Ball |
Roll Ball World Cup |
Nations |
2011 |
Kenya (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Roller derby |
Men's Roller Derby World Cup |
Nations |
2014 |
United States (2018) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Roller hockey |
Roller Hockey World Cup |
Nations |
1936 |
Spain (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
Current FIRS cups restarted in 1958 |
| Roller Hockey Intercontinental Cup |
Clubs |
1983 |
FC Barcelona (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Roller sports |
Roller Skating at World Skate Games |
Individuals |
2017 |
Winners in 5 disciplines (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| World Scootering Championship |
Individuals |
2019
2021 |
Park: Jayden Sharman (2024)
Street: Lucas Di Meglio (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held in 2020 |
| Artistic Skating World Championships |
Individuals |
1980 |
Alessandro Liberatore (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held in 2020 |
| Rowing |
World Rowing Championships |
Nations |
1962 |
Winners in 3 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Championships are not held for Olympic events in Summer Olympic years |
| World Rowing Cup |
Nations |
1997 |
Winners in varying numbers of events per stage (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Three stages |
| World Indoor Rowing Championships |
Individuals and Teams |
2018 |
Winners in 6 events (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| Rugby league |
Rugby League World Cup |
Nations |
1954 |
Australia (2021) |
2026 |
Quadrennial |
Quadrennial after 2013, Most wins: Australia 12, Great Britain 3,  New Zealand 1 |
| Rugby union |
Rugby World Cup |
Nations |
1987 |
South Africa (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
Most wins: South Africa 4, New Zealand 3, Australia 2, England 1 |
| Rugby sevens |
Rugby World Cup Sevens |
Nations |
1993 |
 Fiji (2022) |
2026 |
Quadrennial |
A previous decision to scrap the Rugby World Cup Sevens was reversed in 2013.
The next event after 2013 was in 2018, before resuming a four-yearly cycle.[1] |
| Sailing |
Sailing World Championships |
Individuals & Pairs |
2003 |
Winners in 4 classes (2023) |
2026 |
Multiple Annual |
|
| Sambo |
World Sambo Championships |
Individuals |
1973 |
Winners in various weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Sepak Takraw |
ISTAF World Cup |
Nations |
2011 |
Thailand (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Shooting |
ISSF World Shooting Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1897 |
Winners in 28 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| ISSF World Shotgun Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1934 |
Winners in 4 events (2022) |
2025 |
Quadrennial |
|
| World Running Target Championships |
Individuals & Team |
1961 |
(Winners in 10 events) (2022) |
2026 |
Quadrennial |
|
| ISSF World Cup |
Individuals |
1986 |
China (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Skateboarding |
World Skateboarding Championship |
Park |
2016 |
Augusto Akio (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Street |
2010 |
Toa Sasaki (2024) |
| Skeleton |
IBSF World Championships |
Individual |
1982 |
Matt Weston (2025) |
2027 |
Annual |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| Skeleton World Cup |
Individual |
1986–87 |
Matt Weston
(2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Ski jumping |
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships |
Individuals & Nations |
1962 |
Winners in 3 events (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| FIS Ski Flying World Championships |
Individuals |
1972 |
Stefan Kraft (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| National Team |
2004 |
Slovenia (2024) |
| FIS Ski Jumping World Cup |
Individuals |
1979–80 |
Daniel Tschofenig (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Snooker |
World Snooker Championship |
Individuals |
1927 |
Zhao Xintong (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
This championship is open to both sexes, but no woman has ever won the event.[2]
Most wins in modern era: Stephen Hendry 7, Ronnie O'Sullivan 7, Steve Davis 6 |
| IBSF World Snooker Championship |
Individuals |
1963 |
Muhammad Asif (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Also known as the World Amateur Snooker Championship |
| Snowboarding |
FIS Snowboard World Championships |
Individuals |
1996 |
Winners in 6 events (2025) |
2027 |
Biennial |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| FIS Snowboard World Cup |
Individuals |
1994 |
Winners in 8 disciplines (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Snowshoe running |
World Snowshoe Championships |
Individuals |
2006 |
Alex Baldaccini (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Snow volleyball |
FIVB Snow Volleyball World Tour |
Nations |
2019 |
Iran (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
|
| Softball |
Men's Softball World Cup |
Nations |
1966 |
Australia (2022) |
2025 |
Triennial |
Quadrennially from 1970 to 2010, biennially till 2019, now triennially |
| Speed skating |
World Allround Speed Skating Championships |
Individuals |
1889 |
Jordan Stolz (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| World Sprint Speed Skating Championships |
Individuals |
1970 |
Ning Zhongyan (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| World Single Distance Championships |
Individuals and Nations |
1996 |
Winners in 8 events (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
Not held in Winter Olympic years |
| World Short Track Speed Skating Championships |
Individuals and Nations |
1976 |
Winners in 4 events (2025) |
2026 |
Annual |
Although the International Skating Union did not conduct an official World Short Track Championship until 1981, it began organising international events in 1976.
All annual ISU-sanctioned international championships from 1976 to 1980 are now retrospectively recognised as World Championships |
| ISU Short Track World Tour |
Individuals & Nations |
2024–25 |
Winners in 5 disciplines (2024–25) |
2025–26 |
Annual |
|
| Squash |
PSA World Championship |
Individuals |
1976 |
 Diego Elías (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World International Doubles Squash Championships |
Doubles |
1997 |
Elliott Lowe & Raphael Segal (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| WSF World Team Squash Championships |
Nations |
1967 |
 Egypt (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
2021 Championship cancelled |
| Strength athletics |
World's Strongest Man |
Individuals |
1977 |
Tom Stoltman (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Sumo |
Sumo World Championships |
Individuals |
1992 |
Winners in 5 weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Surfing |
World Surfing Games |
Individuals & Team |
1964 |
Gabriel Medina (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Table tennis |
World Table Tennis Championships |
Singles |
1926 |
Fan Zhendong (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Doubles |
Wang Chuqin &
Fan Zhendong (2023) |
| World Team Table Tennis Championships |
Nations |
1926 |
China (2024) |
2026 |
Biennial |
|
| Taekwondo |
World Taekwondo Championships |
Individuals |
1973 |
Winners in 8 weight classes (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Nations |
South Korea (2023) |
| World Cup Taekwondo Team Championships |
Nations |
2006 |
Iran (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Tchoukball |
World Tchoukball Championship |
Nations |
1971 |
Chinese Taipei (2023) |
2027 |
Quadrennial |
|
| Teqball |
Teqball World Championships |
Men's singles |
2017 |
Apor Györgydeák (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Men's doubles |
Sorrasak Thaosiri & Jirati Chanliang (2024) |
| Tennis |
Davis Cup |
Nations |
1900 |
Italy (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
The Davis Cup is not formally a world championship, but is traditionally held as equivalent in status.
Only the teams in the World Group actually compete for the Davis Cup proper;
other teams play to (eventually) reach the World Group.
Most wins: United States 32, Australia 28, France 10 |
| Triathlon |
World Triathlon Championship Series |
Individuals |
2009 |
Alex Yee (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Triathlon Long Distance Championships |
Individuals |
1994 |
Antonio Benito (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Triathlon Duathlon Championships |
Individuals |
1990 |
Javier Martín (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Triathlon Long Distance Duathlon Championships |
Individuals |
1997 |
Émile Blondel-Hermant (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Triathlon Aquathlon Championships |
Individuals |
1998 |
Kevin Viñuela (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Triathlon Winter Championships |
Individuals |
1997 |
Franco Pesavento (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| World Triathlon Cross Championships |
Individuals |
2011 |
Michele Bonacina (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Ironman World Championship |
Individuals |
1978 |
Patrick Lange (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Ironman 70.3 World Championship |
Individuals |
2006 |
Jelle Geens (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Volleyball |
Men's World Championship |
Nations |
1949 |
Italy (2022) |
2025 |
Biennial |
Most wins: Soviet Union 6, Italy 4, Brazil 3,  Poland 3 |
| FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League |
Nations |
2018 |
France (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
It replaced the FIVB Volleyball World League (1990–2017) |
| FIVB Men's Volleyball Club World Championship |
Clubs |
1989 |
Sada Cruzeiro (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Wakeboarding |
Wakeboard World Championships |
Individuals |
1994 |
Winners in various events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Water polo |
Water polo at the World Aquatics Championships |
Nations |
1973 |
Croatia (2024) |
2025 |
Biennial |
Biennially since 2001 |
| FINA Water Polo World Cup |
Nations |
1979 |
Spain (2023) |
2025 |
Quadrennial |
Biennially until 2002 |
| Water skiing |
Water Ski World Championships |
Individuals |
1949 |
Louis Duplan-Fribourg (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
| Weightlifting |
World Weightlifting Championships |
Individuals |
1891 |
Winners in 10 weight classes (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Windsurfing |
Windsurfing World Championships |
Individuals |
1974 |
Alessandro Alberti (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Wrestling (amateur) |
World Wrestling Championships |
Individuals |
1904 |
Winners in 8 events (2024) |
2025 |
Annual |
Not held in Summer Olympic years |
| Wrestling World Cup (freestyle) |
Nations |
1973 |
United States (2022) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Wrestling World Cup (Greco-Roman) |
Nations |
1980 |
Iran (2022) |
2025 |
Annual |
|
| Wushu |
World Wushu Championships |
Individuals |
1991 |
Winners in 22 events (2023) |
2025 |
Biennial |
|
Max Verstappen (2024)
Michael Schumacher and 
Lewis Hamilton 7, 
Juan Manuel Fangio 5
Ferrari 16, 
Thierry Neuville (2024)
Sébastien Loeb 9, 
Juha Kankkunen and 
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT (2024)
Norbert Michelisz (2024)
Cyan Racing Lynk & Co (2024)
Lucas Auer &
Winward Racing Team Mann-Filter (2024)
Nasser Al Attiyah &
João Ferreira &
Janusz Grzyb (2024)
Jorge Martín (2024)
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (2024)
Ross Evan Branch (2024)
Hero MotoCorp (2024)
Mohammed Al-Balooshi (2024)
