Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger – United States of America

International boccia makes its return to the United States June 17-23 when Lakeshore Foundation hosts the Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger.

Thirteen countries will be represented in the first international boccia competition on U.S. soil since 2017, including perennial heavy-hitters like South Korea, Brazil and Mexico.

Boccia is a highly competitive sport of precision and focus played on a 10m x 6m indoor court. The object of the game is to throw or roll leather balls so they land as close as possible to a target ball called the jack.

Boccia can be played one-on-one, in pairs or in teams of three. To start, each side receives a set of 6 colored balls (red or blue) and a coin toss decides the color assignment. The red athlete will throw the white Jack out on the court. They will then follow up by throwing their first red ball as close to the Jack as possible. Red always throws first. The blue athlete will then have an attempt to throw their first ball. Athletes will then take turns throwing their respective balls based on distance to the Jack until each side has exhausted their turns. The color that is closest to the Jack at the conclusion of the end receives the number of points to the number of balls they have closer to the Jack than their opponent’s closest ball. Scores accumulate over a set number of rounds called ends.

Developed for individuals with significant disabilities requiring the use of a wheelchair, boccia is contested in one of four sport classes based on the athlete’s functional ability: BC1, BC2, BC3 and BC4.

Wednesday, June 17: Opening Ceremony

Thursday, June 18 – Saturday, June 20: Singles Competition

Saturday, June 20 – Monday, June 22: Teams and Pairs Competition

Specific schedules by day will be available here following the official competition draw taking place on Wednesday, June 17.