In the summer of 2026, the Swedish city of Helsingborg will be at the center of the world’s largest international choir festival. Thousands of singers will gather to compete, perform, and connect through music.

For eleven days, the city will be buzzing with life as choirs of all ages and genres fill stages, streets and churches with their voices. The event combines competitions in various categories with concerts, workshops, parades and so-called "Friendship Concerts". The purpose is to build bridges between people and cultures through song.

“It is with great joy and pride that we accept the baton after Auckland, New Zealand, which hosted the event in 2024. The World Choir Games is an event that reflects the soul of Helsingborg, a city where culture, diversity and community are at the center”, says Soraya Axelsson, Director of Business Development, City of Helsingborg.

Visit Skåne is involved as a partner and helps to put both Helsingborg and the entire Skåne region on the international map. Through the collaboration, opportunities are created to attract both participants and audience to the region, strengthening both cultural life and the tourism industry. The local producer of the event is Helsingborg Arena and Scen (HASAB).

“With the World Choir Games 2026, the Skåne region will receive a well-established event of a very high international standard. For us as a regional player, it is gratifying since we invest so purposefully in positioning Skåne as a destination for cultural tourism. In this effort, events are a vital and supporting component”, says Max Granström, CEO of Visit Skåne.

Facts about the World Choir Games

The World Choir Games 2026 are organized in collaboration with the international association INTERKULTUR, a world leader in choir festivals. 

“With its outstanding choirs, Sweden has long been regarded as a role model in the international choral scene. Now, with Helsingborg as host city, we are excited to carry on this legacy on the world’s largest stage for choral music: the World Choir Games, also known as the Olympic Games of Choral Music”, says Günter Titsch, President of INTERKULTUR and the World Choir Games. 

The event will take place in several locations across the city, including Helsingborg Arena, Helsingborg City Theatre, Helsingborg Concert Hall, Dunker’s Culture House, St. Mary's Church and Gustav Adolf Church.

Previously, the World Choir Games have been held in Auckland, New Zealand and Gangneung, South Korea, among others. The event includes both competitive and non-competitive activities and is open to all types of non-professional choirs, from children's and youth groups to pop and jazz ensembles, and more. 

The World Choir Games in Helsingborg will be held 6–16 August 2026.

More information about the event can be found here: https://wcg2026.com