2026 15th IDBF World Club Dragon Boat Championships Invite the Public to Hualien to Experience World-Class Dragon Boat Excitement

Co-organized by the Hualien County Government and the Chinese Taipei Dragon Boat Association, under the guidance of the Ministry of Sports, the '2026 15th IDBF World Club Dragon Boat Championships' will be grandly held from August 29 to September 6, 2026, at Lichi Lake in Shoufeng Township, Hualien County. This marks the first time Taiwan has secured the hosting rights for the World Club Dragon Boat Championships, expected to attract thousands of athletes and officials from around the globe to Hualien. Through dragon boat racing, the event aims to deepen international friendship and demonstrate Taiwan’s capability and passion for hosting large-scale international sports events.

To promote the event highlights, showcase preparation progress, and highlight the city’s charm, the Hualien County Government will hold the '2026 15th IDBF World Club Dragon Boat Championships National Press Conference' on July 18 at 11:00 AM in the multi-functional performance area on the first floor of Taipei Main Station. Central, local, and sports sector representatives will attend to witness this significant moment of Hualien’s international integration.

Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei stated that this is Hualien’s first time hosting a world-class dragon boat championship and a major milestone in Taiwan’s dragon boat sports development. Hualien boasts magnificent mountain and ocean landscapes and a rich multicultural heritage. Lichi Lake has long served as a key venue for promoting dragon boat sports in Hualien, hosting international dragon boat races for years with excellent competition facilities. The county government will integrate central, local, and private resources to fully commit to all preparatory work, creating a world-class event that combines international professionalism, competitive standards, and local characteristics.

The press conference will open with the welcoming prelude 'The航道 of Dreams,' performed by contemporary Indigenous youth musicians and songwriters Kincyang Chi and Tsai Tzu-hsuan from Hualien. Their music blends Indigenous cultural roots, traditional music and dance elements, and modern pop arrangements, paired with dragon boat racing visuals to convey the sport’s dynamic rhythm and powerful spirit. This will be followed by a powerful drum performance from the Yichang Elementary School Drum Team, echoing the core soul of dragon boat racing. It symbolizes Hualien’s youth leading from their hometown to guide Taiwan’s athletes onto the international stage, demonstrating Hualien’s enthusiasm and determination to welcome the 2026 World Club Dragon Boat Championships.

The event will also showcase official uniforms, competition medals, and VIP gift sets. Through a complete visual identity system and themed exhibition zones, the brand identity, sporting spirit, and city image of the 2026 World Club Dragon Boat Championships will be presented, allowing attendees to experience Hualien’s excitement in hosting this international sports spectacle. Additionally, the event has specially invited Hualien native and outstanding dragon boat athlete Lin Sheng-ju as the image ambassador. His journey of 'rowing from Hualien to the world' will convey the core spirit of 'cultivated locally, shining globally,' encouraging dragon boat athletes worldwide to strive for excellence.

The press conference will culminate in a Golden Paddle Activation Ceremony, where representatives from central, local, and sports sectors will jointly activate the golden paddle, symbolizing the official countdown to the 2026 World Club Dragon Boat Championships. It also announces that Hualien is fully prepared to welcome dragon boat athletes from around the world to gather in Hualien and co-create an extraordinary event.

The Hualien County Government stated that to maximize the event’s impact and showcase the city’s charm, various departments will launch complementary activities during the event period. For example, the Indigenous Affairs Office will host the SA'SA' Daily Music Concert, while promoting high-quality local agricultural products and specialty souvenirs. Domestic and international visitors are invited to deeply experience Hualien’s rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and local industry characteristics while enjoying the races.

The Hualien County Government sincerely invites the public nationwide to visit Hualien during the event, witness the outstanding performances of dragon boat athletes from around the world, feel the passion and emotion of competitive sports, and promote city exchanges, cultural interactions, and international friendships through the World Club Dragon Boat Championships, allowing the world to recognize Hualien’s warmth and charm.