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2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept2


 

Jump to: LIGHTWEIGHT EVENTS

OVERVIEW

The official 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships (WRVICH), presented by Concept2, will be a global virtual event allowing athletes to compete from anywhere using their Concept2 rowing machines. The competition will span two weekends in February 2026, with races in multiple categories. It is open to rowers of all levels, from elite athletes to fitness enthusiasts.

 

This page and its information act as the Event Competition Notice for the 2026 WR Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept2.

 

Dates

The 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships will take place on 2 weekends::

=> Saturday 21/Sunday 22 February 2026 for the Heats

=> Saturday 28 February 2026 for the Finals that will be streamed Live.

 

Race formats

=> 1000 metres individual and teams

=> 5000 metres individual and teams

=> 1 minute individual

 

Progression system

All events will follow a progression from Heats that will be organised in three different time zones (Asia/Oceania, Europe/Africa, Americas) to Finals.

There is no qualification prior to the Heats, all participants access the Heats in Live Racing.

 

Entry period

=> ENTRIES OPEN – 18 November 2025 at 09:00 UTC

=> ENTRIES OPEN for ADAPTIVE – 1 December 2025 at 09:00 UTC

=> ENTRIES CLOSE – 10 February 2026 at 12:00 UTC

 

=> CODES and RACE TIMES are available on your Entry Portal from 17 February!

 

REGISTRATION & ENTRY

Competitors must submit a valid passport or national ID at the time of entry to confirm their nationality. Once declared, a competitor’s nationality cannot be changed, even if they hold multiple passports.

 

Athletes racing at the 2026 WRVICH are not representing a country and can enter themselves. Although, to be eligible to enter the 2026 WRVICH, athletes must be nationals of countries that either have a WR Member Federation, or a National Olympic Committee recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Residency documents are not eligible to attribute a different nationality.

 

=> New to World Rowing events?

Participants must create a profile on the WR Entry Portal first and then enter the competition, following the registration process on the same website.

 

=> Already registered?

Athletes who have already participated in one of our events can just log in and follow the registration process on the WR Entry Portal.

 

When registering, participants are asked to choose in which continent/time zone they want to race the Heats.

 

Late registration won’t be accepted.

 

Entry fees

Refund/withdrawals policy

Entry refund is possible upon request in case of withdrawals before the entry deadline.

After the entry deadline, no refund will be accepted but we encourage athletes who can’t participate anymore to declare their withdrawals to help managing the competition and the schedule.

 

Competitor Integrity

All information provided to World Rowing for the purposes of this competition, either in registration submissions, video submissions, scores, timestamps, or any other information provided must be the complete truth.

 

A lack of integrity, or any actions that indicate an intent to cheat or circumvent the rules or intent of the rules of World Rowing may result in disqualification and possible bans on future competition opportunities.

 

SCHEDULES

Heats

All times will be displayed in UTC so athletes are asked to check their local time on race days.

Convert your time zone here.

 

Finals – Provisional schedule

All finals races are scheduled in the afternoon of the Saturday 28 February, from 14:00 to 21:30 UTC.

Check and convert your time according to your location.

 

 

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES AND RULES

=> Participants’ age category will be determined by their age on 31/12/2026, as per the WR Rules.

=> Men’s and Women’s events are defined in the WR Rules, in Rule 13 and Appendix R1 – Bye-Laws to Rule 13.

=> Lightweight categories and requirements are defined in a specific section below.

 

Categories

 

Formats & progression system

The following rules apply to the Men’s, Men’s Lightweight, Women’s and Women’s Lightweight categories.

1min => Heats &  Finals

From Heats to Finals => World Top 6 of each age category (across all continents)

 

1000m => Heats & Finals

From Heats to Finals => World top 6 of each age category (across all continents)

 

5000m => Heats & Finals

From Heats to Finals => Overall fastest 20 times (across all continents) + (if needed) next 1 to 3 fastest from any age category represented in the top 20 to fill up to 4 athletes in the Final and be able to reward top 3 medals in each Finalist age category.

——–

Example for the 5000m

Top 20 is represented by:

– 16 athletes 23-39

– 3 athletes 21-22

– 1 athlete 40-44

to reach the number of 4 athletes per age category, the following will also qualify for the Final:

– 1 additional 21-22 athlete

– 3 additional 40-44 athletes

=> Total athletes in the final: 24

 

Lightweight categories

=> A competitor in a lightweight men’s event may not weigh more than 75.0 kgs.

= >A competitor in a lightweight women’s event may not weigh more than 61.5 kgs.

 

Lightweight events requirements

Any competitor who cannot meet the requirements appropriately, or who fails to make weight, will be excluded. It will not be possible to switch to the open weight category. Weigh-in submissions will be verified as quickly as possible by the officials, but it is possible that not all weigh-ins will be verified prior to the start of each race. As such, final race results will not be confirmed until all weigh-in submissions for a particular race have been verified and approved.

As per WR Rules, competitors must weigh-in from 2 to 1 hour before their first race of each lightweight event in which they are competing, each day of the competition.

 

Note: An athlete who competes in multiple lightweight event (e.g. 1min and 1000m) must weigh in before each race but if less than an hour separates the 2 starts, it is possible to produce only one weigh-in video, ensuring that the appropriate time is chosen to apply to both races. However, the video must be submitted twice, once for each race on the WR Entry Portal.

 

Weigh-in Process

Strict video evidence of the competitor’s weigh-in must be uploaded to the World Rowing Entry Portal within the regulatory time frame.

Video evidence must show in one video:

1. A labelled test weight in kilograms or equivalent (such as a dumbbell or weighted plate) being placed on the digital scale to be used, with a clear reading of the weight indicated on both the test weight and the digital scale reading visible. The weight cannot be a modifiable weight (i.e. a sandbag, adjustable dumbbell, flour packet, etc.)

2. The test weight subsequently removed from the digital scale, and the competitor’s full body (including their face) on a digital scale in their racing clothes (minimum tshirt/short or rowing unisuit)

3. The scale reading visible in kilograms, showing the weight to 0.1 kilograms.

4. The following webpage visible in the video (on a phone, computer, tablet): https://worldrowing.entries.regatta-systems.com/clock (this webpage will act as the timestamp in your weigh-in video. The unique code provided each minute on the webpage will ensure that competitors are honouring the weigh-in window).

 

 

INDIVIDUAL INDOOR ADAPTIVE CATEGORIES (PARA)

Categories

The World Rowing Council has approved new Adaptive categories listed below.

 

 

All information on Indoor Adaptive Categories and categorisation are available HERE.

 

Formats & progression system

1min => Heats & Final

From Heats to Final => World 10 best times of each category

 

1000m => Heats & Final

From Heats to Final => World 10 best times of each category

 

RELAY CATEGORIES AND RULES

 

Categories

 

=> 1000m & 5000m Mixed U19 relays: All team members must be less than 19 years old in 2026 (maximum 18 years old on the 31/12/26) and teams must be composed of 50% men and 50% women.

= > 1000m & 5000m Mixed U23 relays: All team members must be less than 23 years old in 2026 (maximum 22 years old on the 31/12/26) and teams must be composed of 50% men and 50% women.

=> 1000m Men/Women relays: Teams members of any age. Men teams must be composed of 2 men. Women teams must be composed of 2 women.

=> 1000m & 5000m Mixed relays: Teams members of any age. Teams must be composed of 50% men and 50% women.

 

Teams will have to respect specific rules on change-overs during a relay race. Controls will be conducted, and team could be asked to submit the video of their performance. Moreover, race analysis may be conducted to check that the required number of change-overs have been done.

=> On 1000m relay races, teams are required to do at least 3 change-overs, so each team member performs at least twice during the race.

=> On 5000m, relay races, teams are required to do at least 7 change-overs, so each team member performs at least twice during the race.

Indoor Rowing Rule ROI 29 will apply about Interference and Rights of Relay team members for the purposes of transitioning.

 

Indoor Rowing Rules ROI 23 section 4 specifies that no change of competitors shall be made after a race has started. So no substitution is permitted between the Heats and the Finals (even for medical reasons) and the team composition shall remain exactly the same.

 

Formats & progression system for relays

1000m – Teams of 2 => Heats & Final

From Heats to Final => 15 best times in each category (across all continents)

 

5000m – Teams of 4 => Heats & Final

From Heats to Final => 15 best times in each category (across all continents)

 

RANKINGS AND MEDALS

Rankings

The official WRVICH 2026 rankings will be based on both progression and results.

 

=> The Age categories rankings (for Men, Lightweight Men, Women and Lightweight Women) will place the finalists at the top, followed by all participants in the Heats, all ranked according to their times in the Heats.

 

=> The WRVICH Finals rankings will only show the finalists in Men’s, Lightweight Men’s, Women’s and Lightweight Women’s finals, ranked according to their times in the final, across all age categories.

 

EXAMPLE – Men’s 1000m 40-44, Jonas and Michael:

 

Heats Final Men’s 40-44 Ranking Men’s Final Ranking
Michael 02:49.4 02:53.3 5th 14th
Jonas 02:52.5 (8th) did not qualify 8th not ranked

 

==> Even though Jonas achieved a better time in the Heats than Michael in the final, Michael qualified for the final and is therefore ranked higher.

 

Medals & certificates

Medals for individual events will be awarded to:

=> the top 3 finishers in the Men’s, Lightweight Men’s, Women’s and Lightweight Women’s finals

=> the top 3 finishers in each category (age  – M/W/LM/LW – and Para-Rowing).

Medals for relay events will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each relay category.

 

Digital Certificates will be sent to all participants following the event. Certificates will be sent to the email address identified in the WR Profile.

 

 

Minimum Entries and Requirements for receiving medals

If only one athlete/team is entered in an event/category at the entry deadline:

==> Heats are confirmed, as a race opportunity and mandatory to access the Final (for all athletes to experience the system once before the Final)

==> Final are confirmed and will only be for the World Championships Final Ranking (as no ranking in the Age Category can be done).

 

If two or three entries are entered at the entry deadline, the event is confirmed, and medals will be awarded on the basis of one less than the number of athletes/teams competing in the first round of the event, even if a athlete/team withdraws after the first round and before the final.

Subject to these conditions:

1/ the gold medal shall always be awarded, even if only one athlete/team remain;

2/ if two athletes/teams compete, then only the gold medal will be awarded;

3/ if three athletes/teams compete, then only gold and silver medals will be awarded.

 

RACE AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

To ensure a smooth participation, everyone looking at making an entry must be aware of the race and technical requirements listed below:

 

What you need to HAVE

– Valid ID or Passport

– Concept2 static rowing machine equipped with a PM3, PM4 or PM5 (with the latest update available on Concept2 Utility)

– Fixing solution to prevent the rowing machine from sliding on the floor, especially for sprint races

– USB cable (A/B, A/C, C/B or C/C depending on laptop/PM connections)

– Laptop with Chrome browser

– Good internet connection

– For Lightweight category only: digital scale, fix and labelled weight (eg. 2 or 5kg training weight)

– Smartphone/camera

– Ideally, an accompanying person for safety (mandatory for all minors)

 

What you need to KNOW/DO

Official race software

Information is available in the Homerace Manual

Start procedure

The PM will be automatically set once it is successfully connected to the Homerace system and start commands will successively show you SIT READY – ATTENTION – ROW

Video of your race

To add another level of integrity and robustness to the results of the virtual WRICH, all competitors are required to record a video of their race to be referred to in case internet connections are lost, and to cross check results. Please arrange for a 3rd party, or static camera to video each of your races. This includes the Heats and the Final races. Please upload your video on the WR Entry Portal as soon as possible after completing your race. The World Rowing Communications and Media team will also access these videos to develop stories for media release.

In addition, the Grand Finals will be live streamed. This will act as the Competitor Verification element. If a competitor loses his video connection mid-race, they may be contacted by World Rowing after the event to provide proof of their race. World Rowing reserves the right to adjust results if a score cannot be verified on video.

 

WARNING: Race video can not replace a race performed whilst connected to the system. No off-line performance can be taken into account. The video will only be used by Officials to cross check/approve the final result in case an athlete loses internet connection AFTER THE RACE START and is dropped out of the race tracker during the race.

Video Standards

Videos must be a single take and must not be edited in any way, and

Videos must include all of the following:

=> a clear view of the competitor and Concept2 machine throughout the duration of the race as well as the laptop connected to the machine.

=> a close-up of the monitor after the finish (clearly demonstrating completion of the row with accompanying score).

=> proof of date and time using the following webpage visible in the video (on a phone, computer, tablet): https://worldrowing.entries.regatta-systems.com/clock (open it on another tab on your race computer and switch to show it after the race, on the video)

=> A smartphone, laptop, or camera of any description can be used to record the video.

Machine sharing

It is possible for competitors racing in different races/events to share rowing machines at the same location. If this is the case, the competitor racing first will need to wait for their race to fully finish before selecting the yellow ‘disconnect’ button i.e. all ‘boats’ in their race have finished and the connected monitor has been automatically reset by the race system back to the main menu. Only at this point, the new participant secret code can be entered and the second competitor can prepare to race.

 

Recommendation: use the same machine only if you have a sufficient time between race starts, so you have time to race, reset and set again for the next race.

In case of any delay in the schedule, you might not be able to be ready for the next race. In case of emergency, please contact World Rowing as soon as possible at indoor@worldrowing.com, with EMERGENCY MACHINE SHARING in the email subject line and your details, name/last name and phone number in the email.

 

NO EXCEPTIONS OR DELAYS will be made to accommodate shared machines.

Additional Equipment Use for non-Adaptive categories

As per the WR Rules, no attachments may be added or connections made to any machine without the approval of the President of the Jury.

If necessary, request must be made at indoor@worldrowing.com

Reminder about the FALSE START rule

In case of a second false start in a race, the competitor(s) responsible for the second false start will be excluded from the event.

 

OBJECTIONS & PROTESTS

In accordance with the Rules of racing – Indoor Rowing, the following rules, specific for the 2026 WRVICH, will apply.

 

——-

 

Rule ROI 33 – Objections

A competitor claiming that their race was not in order and that their ranking in the race has been affected may make an Objection to the Responsible Umpire at indoor@worldrowing.com within 10min after the finish of the race, with the subject “OBJECTION to the attention of the PoJ”

Such Objection may only concern the conduct of that competitor’s race.

The Responsible Umpire may accept or reject the competitor’s Objection and shall communicate their decision in writing to the competitors in the race, and to the other Race Officials.

 

Rule ROI 34 – Protests

A protest to the Board of the Jury may only be made by a competitor:

1/ whose objection has been rejected;
2/ whose ranking in a race has been affected by the acceptance of an objection;
3/ ruled DNS (did not start) or DNF (did not finish);
4/ that has been excluded or disqualified; and
5/ that disputes the published results of their race.

Such a protest must be in writing at indoor@worldrowing.com with the subject “PROTEST to the attention of the PoJ” not later than 30 minutes after the publication of the official results of the relevant race.

The protest must be accompanied by a transfer of EUR 100 using THIS LINK. The amount shall be refunded if the protest is upheld.

The Jury shall then decide if the protest was justified. It will make its decision as soon as possible after the reception of the protest and, in any case, no later than one hour after the last race of the day. The decision and reasoning shall be given in writing.

The Jury may:

1/ Reject the protest;
2/ Uphold the protest and provide such relief as may be necessary to restore each affected competitor’s chances in the race or to correct the published results. The relief available to be provided by the Jury is as follows:

a/ Reprimand a competitor;
b/ Exclude a competitor from the event;
c/ Disqualify a competitor
d/ Relegate a competitor to last place in the race where specifically provided for in these Rules;
e/ Order a re-row in accordance with Rule 65 between some or all competitors in the race at a time specified by the President of the Jury.

In case of a protest arising from an objection concerning the final of an event and if the subsequent decision of the Board of the Jury changes the final result of the event,

1/ The official result shall be changed accordingly;
2/ Where medal placings are affected, then the medals shall be re-awarded as necessary in accordance with the decision.

Subject only to ROI 35, the decision of the Jury on such a protest shall be final and not subject to further appeal.

——-

It is the competitor’s responsibility to make sure that all of the technical requirements for participating in the event as described in the competition notice are met. The inability to participate or compete a race due to failing to meet the technical requirements or an internet failure are not ground for an objection or protest.

 

TEST RACE

No Participant Secret code is required to do a Test Race. Available at any time.

Step by Step process ==> Access homerace.nl

 

 

 

WORLD RECORDS

Competitors who believe that they may break a world record during either the qualification or final race phase of the WRICH should contact Concept2 in advance of competing to indicate this possibility. In addition to following all of the score verification protocols (as outlined on Concept2’s website), lightweights must be weighed-in no earlier than two hours before their race, under independent supervision, on approved scales. Using personal scales with a family member present will not comply with this requirement.  Weigh-in should satisfy the same level of scrutiny as at a venue race. Competitors should contact Concept2 in advance of competition in order to ensure that their planned weigh-in strategy is approved and would be accepted by Concept2. Contact virtualracing@concept2.com for more details on this.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Share & Join the Conversation

Follow us on our official channels for all the latest from the Championships: behind-the-scenes, athlete features, live updates and interactive content.

Facebook

Twitter/X

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube 

Get involved

=> Use the official hashtag #2026WRVICH and #WorldRowingVirtualIndoorChamps when posting your preparations, training shots, concept2 row-erg selfies or rallying friends to join the event.

=> Tag us @WorldRowing on Instagram and TikTok, and mention @WorldRowing in your tweets and Facebook posts. We’ll be resharing the best content from around the world.

=> While you’re watching the livestreams or virtual heats, comment using #WRIndoor or #WRVICHLive for Q&A moments, fan shout-outs and real-time highlights.

=> Want to show how you’re joining from home (or your club, studio or virtual setup)? Snap a photo or video of your erg session and drop it with the hashtag. We’ll feature standout entries across our stories and feed.

Why share?

By posting and tagging your activity you’re helping build a global community of rowers, indoor-rowers, clubs and fans. Your content adds voice, energy and visibility to the championships, from your local club to the global stage.

Stay tuned

Keep an eye out for special social campaigns: athlete takeovers, live Instagram/TikTok “behind the scenes”, and interactive polls and quizzes on race day. Make sure notifications are turned on so you don’t miss when we go live or drop exclusive content.

Let’s make #2026WRVICH the most social, connected indoor‐rowing event ever. See you online and on-the-erg! 💪🚣‍♀️

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT

In case of any last-minute issue, competitors are asked to send an email as quickly as possible to indoor@worldrowing.com with:

=> Name

=> Category and race time

=> Brief description of the issue

=> Phone number including country code

The competition management team will make its best efforts to call back and propose any possible solution to solve the issue and ensure the participation.

 

MEDICAL

1. As per the Commitment document signed at entry, participation in the WRVICH is entirely at the competitor’s own risk.

2. As the competition is a virtual event it is essential that competitors avoid competing alone. It is your responsibility to have another person available to render assistance if necessary.

3. All competitors accept on entry that they will be competing in a very strenuous activity and therefore are in good health and have been cleared by a medical doctor to participate in physical activity.

4. It is strongly recommended that competitors participating in the WRVICH undergo the World Rowing Pre-competition Health Screening.

 

ANTI-DOPING

The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the overall spirit of sport. Drug misuse can be harmful to an athlete’s health and to other athletes competing in the sport. It severely damages the integrity, image and value of sport, whether or not the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance.

 

To achieve integrity and fairness in sport, a commitment to a clean field of play is critical. World Rowing seeks to maintain the integrity of sport in by running a comprehensive anti-doping program that focuses equally on education/prevention and on testing, with consequent sanctioning of those who break the rules.

All athletes must adhere to the Rules and be aware of requirements and consequences in case of rule violation.

 

=> Quick access to WR Rules – Rule 86 and Appendix R10 – Bye-laws to the Rule 86 => https://rules.worldrowing.com/rules/overall-classic-rowing#article-woyx2rca7r0gfk2fxxkmkysx

=> Quick access to WR Anti-doping Centre of resources and ITA’s Webinars => https://worldrowing.com/responsibility/anti-doping/

=> Quick access to the Prohibited List produced by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)  => https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#search-anchor

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE FINALS

Information required before the race

Once qualified, finalists should log into the World Rowing Entry portal to provide the required finalist information to World Rowing.

 

Location information – Competitors are obliged to provide the location (address) of where they will race in their final. This will be used for potential in-competition doping control. It is the sole responsibility of the competitor to ensure that their race day location (address) is correct and accurate. This is mandatory for all finalists.

 

Contact information – Competitors are required to provide a race day phone number, including the country code. Competitors should monitor their phone and email on race-day in the event of contact from World Rowing. The device (smartphone) must NOT be used to provide Internet access/connection to the computer for racing. This is mandatory for all finalists.

 

Biographical information – Competitors are encouraged to provide biographical details in the World Rowing Entry Portal. These will be accessible by the World Rowing commentary and production teams, and could be used in the live stream, as well as other promotions for the event. This is mandatory for all finalists.

 

Photos & video – Competitors are encouraged to provide a headshot, or other photo or video of them to accompany their biographical information. These will be accessible by the World Rowing commentary and production teams, and could be used in the live stream, as well as other promotions for the event. This is optional for all finalists.

 

Emergency phone number – Please provide the phone number for someone who will be nearby to you during your race. Please include the country code.

 

Target Time – Please provide your target time.

 

Live stream

Saturday 28 February will be live streamed on World Rowing webpage and on World Rowing’s YouTube Channel, with an expert commentary panel.

 

Competitors will receive a specific webcam link for EACH race. Simply click on the link on the device you will use for this purpose, allow webcam usage, and you will be streaming. A new link will be provided for each race so make sure you change from a Final to another in case of several qualifications.

 

All finalists are asked not to use the race computer and the same internet connection for the Live streaming.

If you have no other possibility than using the integrated laptop camera in the same laptop from which you are running the Homerace system, please ensure that the browser page running the Homerace system is ALWAYS visible as the front page on your screen.

 

Finalists’ live stream video will be used for both video verification and the live stream. As such, it is critical that all Finalists stream their Final race(s) appropriately. This doesn’t exempt you from taking the verification video and providing it to World Rowing upon request.

 

We highly recommend that you use a fully charged camera/device for live streaming and keep your camera on-charge during use.

Post-race interviews

The 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept2 is a global event that celebrates the Rowing community. Highlighting stories and reactions from throughout the Indoor Rowing world, World Rowing may introduce a new segment of feel-good interviews with Competitors during the global live broadcast.

 

After a Final race, competitors may be asked to film or participate in a live video interview with one of WR’s Commentators or Presentors, which could be included in the broadcast. Competitors are kindly encouraged to share their phone numbers for the purpose of arranging interviews. Please ensure this phone number is in your WR Entry portal profile.

 

 

For questions, please contact indoor@worldrowing.com