Agios Nikolaos on SUP 2026 Preview

Agios Nikolaos on SUP 2026: Crete to Host Paddle Europe Championships and ICF SUP World Cup

The Greek island of Crete will become one of the major international Stand Up Paddle destinations this September as Agios Nikolaos on SUP 2026 hosts both the 2026 Paddle Europe Stand Up Paddling Championships and an ICF SUP World Cup from September 18-23, 2026.

Organized by the Hellenic Canoe, Kayak, SUP & Surf Federation (HCKF) in cooperation with Paddle Europe (PEU), the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, and the Region of Crete, the six-day festival is expected to attract Europe’s top paddlers alongside international athletes competing for valuable ICF World Ranking points.

Historic Double Event for Greece

According to the organizers, 2026 marks a milestone for Greek SUP racing as the country hosts two major international championships back-to-back. The event combines the official Paddle Europe Championships with an ICF SUP World Cup, creating one of the largest SUP competitions on this year’s European calendar.

Unlike many elite-only events, both competitions remain open to paddlers of all abilities, allowing recreational racers to compete alongside some of the sport’s biggest names while celebrating the international SUP community.

Six Days of Racing

Competition begins with the Paddle Europe Championships on September 18-20.

Sprint and Technical Race titles will be contested during the opening two days before the Long Distance Championship concludes the European Championships on September 20. The PEU Closing Ceremony will take place the same day and will be accompanied by a cliff diving exhibition.

After a scheduled rest day on September 21, attention shifts to the ICF SUP World Cup, where athletes will battle in Sprint and Technical Race competitions on September 22-23.

Event Schedule

September 16: Accreditation opens
September 17: Opening Ceremony and accreditation
September 18-19: Paddle Europe Championships – Sprint & Technical Race
September 20: Paddle Europe Long Distance Championship, ICF World Cup Long Distance, Closing Ceremony and Cliff Diving Show
September 21: Rest Day
September 22-23: ICF SUP World Cup Sprint & Technical Race

€12,000 Prize Purse

Organizers have announced a total prize purse of €12,000, distributed equally across the three major competition categories:

Paddle Europe Sprint & Technical Race – €4,000
Paddle Europe / ICF World Cup Long Distance – €4,000
ICF World Cup Sprint & Technical Race – €4,000

Prize money will be awarded equally to men’s and women’s divisions, with cash prizes for the top three finishers in each category.

Crete Offers Ideal Conditions

Located on the northeastern coast of Crete, Agios Nikolaos has become an increasingly popular destination for paddlesports thanks to its warm Mediterranean climate, calm turquoise waters and picturesque coastline.

Organizers are promoting the event not only as an international championship but also as a destination experience, encouraging paddlers to combine racing with a late-summer holiday while enjoying the beaches, local culture and hospitality that Crete is known for.

Stand Up Magazin Perspective – One of the most scenic SUP Races in the World

The combination of the Paddle Europe Championships and an ICF SUP World Cup into a single week makes Agios Nikolaos one of the most significant SUP events in Europe this season. Bringing continental championship racing together with an ICF World Ranking event should attract a strong international field and offers athletes the opportunity to compete for multiple titles in one venue.

With excellent weather conditions, crystal-clear waters and a well-established tourist infrastructure, Crete provides an ideal setting for what could become one of the highlights of the 2026 international SUP racing calendar.