MANTOVA - ITALY - 09-12 JULY 2026
The City of Mantova
Surrounded by three lakes and environment rich in nature, art and history, Mantova was transformed by the Gonzaga family into a court-city of great opulence: echoes of its past can be seen in the courtyards, small squares and porticoes that recall the splendours of 16th-century courts.
The combination of Renaissance palaces, medieval buildings and imposing neoclassical architecture creates a unique cityscape to be admired in all its length and breadth.
Mantova is a vibrant and lively city and hosts the annual Literature Festival and attracts many curious tourists who inevitably fall in love with it.
In 2016, Mantova was designated as the "Italian Capital of Culture".In 2017, it was named as the "European Capital of Gastronomy", included in the Eastern Lombardy District (together with the cities of Bergamo, Brescia, and Cremona).
The athletic center
The event will be held inside the Nuvolari Athletic Center which is immersed in a green, protected area called “Parco del Mincio” and is surrounded by football fields and a stadium, a tennis club, rugby fields, and a motocross area.
It features covered grandstands with seating for 1,500 spectators, changing rooms, toilets, and showers. It can host food and beverage services, offers dedicated space for national federation tents, and includes a free parking area.
Located near the city center, it provides easy access to the city’s main cultural and historical attractions and can be easily reached by bike.
How to register and get there
- By Flight: the nearest airports are
- Verona (30 min by car)
- Bologna (1 h)
- Milano Bergamo (1.15 h)
- Milano Linate (2 h)
- Parma (1 h)
- By Train: Mantova has a train station that is connected to the main cities (Verona, Milano, Bologna, Roma)
- By Bus: Many buses, including FlixBus, reach Mantova from major Italian cities.
Visit the official wab page of the Championships to get all the details about qualification, rules and registration.
Opportunities
In addition to the thrilling competitions, the Athletics Center and City of Mantova offer several opportunities for athletes and spectators to gather, socialize, and immerse themselves in culture (and food!) other than in the exciting Obstacle Sports community.
1. Accommodation: Thanks to agreements with local authorities, the accommodations can be managed with special prices and offers for those who will reserve the accommodation suggested by the event organisers. The participants will be always free to choose the best solution to fit their needs: apartments and houses are also available in the area. The closest accommodation services are available nearby the race field: (2-3 km) in Mantova city, and athletes can easily move by bike thanks to the bike paths.
2. Food and Refreshments: Several different food options will be available for athletes and guests: food services in the racing area, mobile food trucks, many may....MANY italian restaurants and pizzerias are available close-by .
3. Physiotherapist service on the field: professional figures and equipment will be available to take care of the recovery and general well-being of athletes and spectators.
4. Mantova lakes: The lakes of Mantova are famous for lotus flower: many ways to explore the lakes are available, from boat trip to sup lessons and exploration of the lakes and their secrets. The cycling path connects Mantova to Garda lake offering bike lovers a 45km of dedicated road.
5. The Fall of the Giants: is a full room fresco from floor to ceiling done by Italian Renaissance artist and architect Giulio Romano (sixteenth century). It is located in Palazzo Te, Mantua, which was also designed and built by Romano. It was created for his patron Federico II Gonzaga, the Duke of Mantua. The rooms of the
Palazzo are said to tell the story of Ovid's Metamorphoses. Also known as the Sala dei Giganti, it is one of twenty-seven rooms
covered in illusionistic frescos done by Romano.