…City joins global roster of elite hosts ahead of LA 2028 Paralympics
By Damilola Abiola
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) has officially announced that Birmingham will host the 2026 World Boccia Challenger, set for June 16–23, marking a major milestone for adaptive sports in the United States.
The international competition will be held at the renowned Lakeshore Foundation, home to Boccia United States through the Lakeshore National Adapted Sports Organization (LNASO). This will be the first time since 2017 that the U.S. hosts a global Boccia event.
“Lakeshore’s selection to host an international event on our home soil gives us an opportunity to highlight the outstanding facilities at Lakeshore and it gives us a great opportunity to work with city leaders to show off Birmingham as a vibrant and accessible host city,” said Jen Allred, Chief Program Officer at Lakeshore. “As the home for Boccia United States, we are excited for the opportunity.”
The Birmingham tournament is part of a slate of 11 prestigious Boccia competitions worldwide in 2026. It is expected to draw elite athletes from more than 50 countries, with crucial ranking points on the line as competitors aim for qualification for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“It is our great honor to welcome the global boccia community to Birmingham, Alabama,” said Dan Williams, President & CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Hosting this important and impactful event reinforces Birmingham’s reputation as a premier sports destination, and provides an incredible opportunity to showcase our city’s signature hospitality, world-class venues and vibrant culture.”
Birmingham will stand alongside cities such as Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Montreal (Canada), and Seoul (South Korea) in hosting sanctioned events during the 2026 season, spotlighting its growing presence on the international adaptive sports scene.
Kathy Brinker, High-Performance Consultant for Boccia United States, expressed her excitement for the opportunity: “We can’t wait to welcome the world to Lakeshore and Birmingham in June 2026 as we continue to grow the sport, support our athletes, and advance the global Boccia community.”
Boccia—an adapted version of Bocce—was introduced to the Paralympic Games in 1984 and is one of only two Paralympic-exclusive sports. Originally created for athletes with cerebral palsy, the sport has expanded to include players with a variety of physical disabilities and continues to grow in popularity globally.
With its inclusive spirit and increasing global footprint, the 2026 World Boccia Challenger in Birmingham is poised to inspire and energize adaptive sports both in the U.S. and beyond.