The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Youth World Championships will be held in Europe for its 2025 edition, marking a return to the continent after being hosted in South Korea and China in previous years. The competition is set to take place in Helsinki, Finland, from 28 July to 3 August, welcoming young climbers from around the world.
The event will be hosted at KiipeilyAreena Ristikko, one of the largest climbing gyms in Northern Europe, which will host the Lead and Speed competitions. The Boulder competition will take place at Helsingin Kiipeilykeskus, located approximately 12 kilometers away from the main venue. The decision to host the event in Helsinki was based on the successful organization of the IFSC Youth European Championships in Lead in 2023.
Juho Risku, President of Finnish National Federation, sees hosting the IFSC Youth World Championships as a significant moment for Finnish climbing, providing valuable visibility for the sport in the country. The event is viewed as a game-changer for climbing in Finland, showcasing how much progress has been made with climbing equipment and technology over recent years.
The full calendar of the IFSC Season 2025 will be released later this year, with updates available on the IFSC website and social media channels. This year’s competition features competitors divided into two age categories – under 17 and under 19 – a change from previous three age categories. Hosting this event will help attract more young people to climb and promote it as an exciting and competitive sport that can lead them to future successes.
This year’s championships are expected to attract hundreds of young climbers from around the world who have worked hard to reach this level of competition. It provides them with an opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage while also shaping the future of sport climbing by promoting healthy lifestyles and physical fitness.
In conclusion, hosting this event is significant not only for Finnish climbing but also for promoting healthy lifestyles among young people worldwide. We look forward to seeing how these talented athletes perform during this exciting event!
