The momentum is building

The two registration waves for ARWC 2026 have met with strong success.
The initial target of 80 teams has been exceeded: 88 teams have been officially accepted, representing 23 different nations, once again confirming the international reach of the ARWC and the strong appeal of Corsica as a host destination.

In response to this level of interest, a waiting list has been introduced for the very first time in the history of the event. The organising team would like to reassure all teams that everything possible will be done to allow as many teams as possible to take the start, while fully respecting the safety, logistical and race-quality standards that define the DNA of the ARWC.

Thank you to all teams for their trust and enthusiasm.
This World Championship in Corsica is already shaping up to be an exceptional event.

The list of teams is available here.

🌍 Teams by nation

🇺🇸 United States: 7
🇨🇦 Canada: 5
🇧🇪 Belgium: 5
🇵🇱 Poland: 5
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 5
🇳🇿 New Zealand: 5
🇿🇦 South Africa: 4
🇪🇸 Spain: 4
🇳🇱 Netherlands: 3
🇪🇪 Estonia: 2
🇸🇪 Sweden: 1
🇫🇮 Finland: 3
🇭🇷 Croatia: 2
🇨🇴 Colombia: 2
🇯🇵 Japan: 2
Neutral team (AIN): 2
🇧🇷 Brazil: 1
🇵🇭 Philippines: 1
🇦🇷 Argentina: 1
🇩🇰 Denmark : 1
🇫🇷 France: 27

CORTE, STARTING CITY

Where Peaks, Valleys, and Legends Meet

In the heart of the Island of Beauty, Corte was the capital of independent Corsica in the mid-18th century. It will be the starting point of the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship (#ARWC2026). A historic and university town, Corte is built around its citadel, which rises like an “eagle’s nest” above the steep valleys of the Restonica and Tavignanu rivers. At the confluence of the granite massif to the west and the schistous alpine range to the east, Corte forms a true natural stronghold between the En-deçà and Au-delà des monts.

At the heart of the Corsican Regional Natural Park, the richness and diversity of its vast mountainous terrain will offer competitors countless landscapes, including the Restonica Valley, considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular regions of Corsica. With its glacial gorges carved into granite cliffs, covered in lush pine forests, this valley takes its name from the Restonica River, which winds through the cliffs and gorges up to the many lakes scattered across the area. The most famous, Lake Melo and the breathtaking Lake Capitello, are accessible on foot via a challenging and at times steep hiking trail.

L’ÎLE ROUSSE, ARRIVAL CITY

Between sea and maquis

L’Île-Rousse enjoys an exceptional geographical location in the northwest of Corsica. This former fishing village, nicknamed the Paoline City, captivates with its sun-drenched summer atmosphere. It will be the finish city of the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship (#ARWC2026). The town makes hearts race with its incredible bay, crowned by orange-tinted islets of red porphyry. Visitors come for its stunning landscapes painted in turquoise blue and bright green. Wandering through its narrow streets, L’Île-Rousse reveals itself—authentic and generous.

Around 1758, this fishing village entered Corsican history thanks to Pascal Paoli. He transformed this small trading post into a fortified town built around a port to weaken the Genoese activities of the neighboring harbors of Algajola and Calvi. Its main square, naturally named Paoli, is the heart of the town, with the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, its forecourt, and the towering date palms under whose shade the elders rest and recount history.

The town is also blessed with three beaches. Caruchettu, with its rocky outcrops on the sand, silky shores, and crystal-clear waters, is undoubtedly the wildest.