03 December 2024 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has confirmed the events, and athlete quotas for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. The decision marks a significant milestone for the YOG, with a renewed focus on creating a programme that resonates with the local context, maintains the highest standards of elite youth competition and ensures gender equality.
In line with the new approach to the YOG sports programme finalised in June 2024, it was decided to maintain the official involvement of all 35 International Federations (IFs) in Dakar 2026, with 25 sports featuring on the competition programme and 10 to be part of the engagement programme. Dakar 2026 will showcase one discipline from each of the 25 sports on the competition programme. These are athletics (track and field), aquatics (swimming), archery, badminton, baseball (Baseball5), basketball (3×3), boxing, breaking, cycling (road cycling), equestrian (jumping), fencing, football (futsal), gymnastics (artistic), handball (beach handball), judo, rowing (coast rowing), rugby (rugby sevens), sailing, skateboarding (street), table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball (beach volleyball), wrestling (beach wrestling), and wushu.
In total, the Games will feature 151 events – down from the 241 for the YOG Buenos Aires 2018 – equally split between men and women with 72 events for each, alongside seven mixed-gender events. For the first time in the history of the Summer YOG, full gender equality will be achieved – not only in the overall athlete quota but also across every sport, discipline and event.
The total athlete quota for the Games has been set at 2,700. This aligns with the IOC’s commitment to delivering a tailored and efficient programme while maintaining the elite nature of the competition. It will allow the Games to adapt to the local context of Dakar, yet still ensure a competitive platform for young athletes worldwide.
Additionally, Dakar 2026 will feature an engagement programme that will showcase 10 sports: canoe-kayak, golf, hockey, karate, modern pentathlon, shooting, sport climbing, surfing, tennis and weightlifting. These sports will not feature in the competition programme but will be promoted through interactive activities on site and via digital platforms, emphasising their role as integral components and an official part of the YOG.
The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 are a testament to collaboration and innovation. The tailored programme, developed with the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the IFs, ensures a streamlined, impactful event that prioritises gender equality, meaningful athlete development, and strong ties to the local community. This approach sets the stage for a remarkable celebration of sport and culture.
Karl Stoss, IOC Member and Chair of the Olympic Programme Commission
“Dakar 2026 represents a significant milestone for the Youth Olympic Games, as we embrace a tailored approach that reflects the local context while maintaining the highest standards of elite youth competition,” said IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell. “The carefully crafted selection of disciplines reflects the Games’ commitment to gender equality and providing an inspiring platform for the next generation of sporting talent.”
Tailored sports programme developed in collaboration with stakeholders
The confirmation of the disciplines, events and athlete quotas for Dakar 2026 follows the evolution of the IOC’s approach to the YOG. For Dakar 2026, a tailored sports programme was developed in collaboration with the Organising Committee and the IFs. The new approach prioritises alignment with the local context of the hosts, creating an event that resonates with local people while maintaining the YOG’s reputation as a premier global youth sports event.
The programme for Dakar 2026 reflects updated principles designed to ensure the Games remain sustainable and relevant. Each sport is limited to a single discipline, with no mixed-National Olympic Committee medal events, simplifying the structure and emphasising credible elite youth competitions. For the venues, the focus will be on maximising existing infrastructure, avoiding major refurbishments and sharing facilities to reduce complexity.
The YOG Dakar 2026 will take place over two weeks from 31 October 2026, bringing together the world’s best young athletes. The Games will be held across three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly), and are intended as a catalyst to transform Senegal through sport, while becoming a blueprint for future YOG hosts.
