The Federation of International RoboSports Association (FIRA) and the Canadian National Robotic Society (CNRS) have announced that its 2026 global championships, the FIRA RoboWorld Cup, will be held in Markham, Canada with York University's Markham Campus as a host site alongside the Markham Pan Am Centre.
"Located in the heart of one of Canada's fastest growing tech hubs, our new Markham Campus represents the best of what a university campus can offer, with a focus on programs in technology and entrepreneurship producing the talent, research and innovation needed to meet societal needs," says York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. "We are pleased to showcase this on the world stage as a host of the FIRA RoboWorld Cup in August 2026. We look forward to welcoming some of the brightest young minds in technology and robotics from across Canada and around the world and having the opportunity for our students to engage in learning experiences that will help propel them forward in their future careers."
Left to right: Executive Director of Destination Markham Andrew Baldwin, Board Director of FIRA Prof. Jacky Baltes, City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Deputy Provost of York University Markham Campus Dan Palermo, President of FIRA Canada Samia Karimi, Ward 6 City of Markham Councillor Amanda Colucci, Executive Secretary of FIRA Christine Kim, President of FIRA Prof. Tu, and Vice-President of FIRA Canada Maria Sun
The Federation of International Robot Sports Association (FIRA) - founded by Prof. Jong-Hwan Kim, KAIST, Korea in 1996 - is the oldest robot soccer competition in the world. From humble beginnings, FIRA has grown to a major robotics competition with the goal of using sports as benchmark problems for state-of-the-art research in robotics and other related areas. FIRA also includes the FIRA Air competition for autonomous flying robots, FIRA Challenge for robotics research with great societal benefits such as urban search and rescue robots, and FIRA Youth for the next generation of researchers.
"Hosting the FIRA RoboWorld Cup 2026 in Canada is a milestone achievement that highlights our country's growing influence in the global robotics community," says Samia Karimi Dastjerdi, President of FIRA Canada & Director of the Canadian National Robotic Society (CNRS). "York University's Markham Campus and the Markham Pan Am Centre provide an exceptional platform for young innovators to showcase their skills, collaborate with international teams, and push the boundaries of robotics and AI. At CNRS and FIRA Canada, we are committed to fostering a new generation of engineers, researchers, and problem-solvers who will shape the future of technology. We look forward to welcoming the world's brightest minds to Markham for an unforgettable competition that will inspire and drive innovation on a global scale."
Envisioning a future where robotics assumes a central role in shaping a sustainable and technologically advanced society, CNRS strives to foster a vibrant community comprising roboticists, researchers, and enthusiasts. Through strategic partnerships and ongoing learning endeavors, CNRS endeavors to propel Canada into a leadership role in the continually evolving field of robotics.
"York University Markham Campus is thrilled to host the 2026 FIRA RoboWorld Cup together with the Markham Pan Am Centre," says Dan Palermo, Deputy Provost, York University Markham Campus. "Our campus is designed to foster technological advancement, and we are committed to equipping students with the skills they need to lead in this field through our programs and research clusters. Hosting the FIRA RoboWorld Cup is an incredible opportunity to connect students with industry leaders, inspire innovation, and spotlight Markham as a global hub for technology and research."
The announcement comes on the heels of the second Canada FIRA RoboWorld Cup Open Competition 2025 which took place March 15 and 16 at Markham's Aaniin Community Centre. The competition is a key qualifier on the road to the global championship in August. The top three Canadian teams coming out of the competition are headed to the FIRA RoboWorld Cup 2025 in South Korea. With teams from Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Nepal, Turkey, and the U.S., FIRA RoboWorld Cup 2025 is expected to attract 250 in-person competitors and 150 virtual participants showcasing their talent on the world stage. South Korea will then pass the torch' to Canada as host country of next year's world cup. Previous host countries include Brazil, Germany and Taiwan.
About Federation of International RoboSports Association (FIRA)
FIRA stands as the pioneering force in intelligent robot soccer competitions, established by Prof. Jong-Hwan Kim of KAIST, Korea, in 1996. FIRA's mission encompasses three core objectives: (a) providing challenging benchmarks for cutting-edge research in intelligent robotics, (b) equipping senior students with invaluable skills and experiences important for their careers in the modern economy, and (c) introducing junior students to the foundational principles of STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
About Canadian National Robotic Society (CNRS)
Dedicated to nurturing innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the Canadian robotics landscape, CNRS empowers the local robotics community. Our vision is to cultivate a platform for knowledge exchange, skill enhancement, and technological breakthroughs, thereby positioning Canada at the forefront of the global robotics arena.
