On the morning of June 11, Guangzhou held a press conference on the 2026 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament. It was announced that this year's tournament will be held on June 20, along the classic race route stretching from the North Gate Square of Sun Yat-sen University to the Guangzhou Bridge.

This year's event features one competitive category and two exhibition categories. The competitive category is the 600m straight-line race for 22-person dragon boats, divided into four divisions: Men's Open, Women's Open, Men's International, and University. The two exhibition categories are Colorful Dragon Boats (Cailong) and Traditional Dragon Boats, showcasing the unique charm of Lingnan traditional culture.

A total of 105 dragon boat teams from all districts of Guangzhou, neighboring cities in Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong and Macao regions, as well as foreign consulates and business associations, have registered for this year's event. More than 3,800 athletes from 20 countries and regions will participate.

Since the first racing horn sounded in 1985, the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament has traversed an extraordinary journey of four decades. As one of the largest and most influential dragon boat festivals in the Lingnan region, it serves not only as an important window showcasing Guangzhou's rich cultural heritage and vibrant cultural scene, but also as an annual grand event that deepens sports exchanges and boosts holiday consumption.

Source: Guangzhou Daily
English Author & Editor: Wen Junhua