The World Choir Games 2026, the world’s largest international choir competition, is now officially open in Helsingborg. From August 6 to 16, the Swedish coastal city will become an international meeting place for choral music. Around 8,500 singers from more than 40 countries have come together to compete, perform in concerts, and experience the unifying power of singing together.
More than 160 choirs are taking part in the World Choir Games, which are being held in Sweden for the first time. Event venues include Helsingborg Concert Hall, Helsingborg City Theatre, St. Mary’s Church, Dunkers Cultural Centre, Gustav Adolf Church, and Helsingborg Arena.
“World Choir Games is now officially open. It is a great pleasure to welcome thousands of choir singers from around the world to Helsingborg. This is our city at its very best – open, welcoming and full of life – while also strengthening both our visitor economy and Helsingborg’s position as an international event destination,” says Mats Sander, (M) Mayor of Helsingborg.
The World Choir Games are organized in cooperation with INTERKULTUR, the world’s leading organization for international choir competitions and festivals. This year’s edition is the 14th since the event was first launched in 2000. Over the next ten days, participants and audiences can look forward to a diverse programme of competitions, concerts, and cultural encounters that showcase the richness and diversity of the international choral community.
“The World Choir Games are much more than a musical competition. They are a place where people from different nations, cultures, and backgrounds come together, sing together, and build lasting friendships. At a time when our world is marked by conflict and division, thousands of singers are sending a powerful message of peace, respect, and mutual understanding. That message is the true heart of the World Choir Games,” says Günter Titsch, President of INTERKULTUR, the World Choir Games, and the World Choir Council.
