The Para Athletics World Championships, the largest single Para sport event globally, will be hosted in India for the first time, World Para Athletics (WPA) announced on December 19.
Scheduled to take place at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from September 26 to October 5, 2025, this event will mark the 12th edition of the championships and the fourth time it is hosted in Asia, following Doha (2015), Dubai (2019), and Kobe (2024).
In preparation for the championships, New Delhi will also host a World Para Athletics Grand Prix for the first time from March 11 to 13, 2025, at the same venue. This event aims to offer fans an early glimpse of the excitement surrounding Para athletics and serve as a precursor to the global championships.
Paul Fitzgerald, Head of World Para Athletics, expressed his enthusiasm for the event. “We are thrilled to announce that the first major championship of the new Paralympic cycle leading to Los Angeles 2028 will take place in New Delhi.
This will be the largest international Para sport event ever held in India, presenting a significant opportunity to grow the sport, expand its fan base, and positively influence societal perceptions of persons with disabilities in the world’s most populous nation.”
Fitzgerald highlighted the remarkable growth of Para athletics in India over the past decade, noting the country’s achievements, including 17 medals at the 2024 World Championships in Kobe, six of which were gold.
He commended the National Paralympic Committee of India (NPC India) for its efforts in advancing the sport and emphasized the potential legacy of hosting such a major event.
NPC India echoed this sentiment, describing the 2025 championships as a milestone in India’s journey to becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
In a statement, NPC India emphasized the importance of the event in promoting inclusivity and empowering India’s 60 million persons with disabilities. They also underscored its significance in strengthening India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With over 1,000 athletes from more than 100 nations expected to participate, the event promises to elevate India’s position in the global sports arena and accelerate the Paralympic movement within the country.
India’s strong finish at the 2024 World Championships, ranking among the top six nations, reflects the country’s rapid progress in Para athletics and its readiness to host such a prestigious event.
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