As many know, Salzburg is not new to the synchro landscape. The city hosts the Mozart Cup every year, one of the major synchronized skating competitions in Europe. Even before hosting senior Worlds, Salzburg already held an established place on the international calendar.
The 2026 field looks deep. The official schedule shows 22 teams from 17 countries: Australia, Austria, Canada (2), Czech Republic, Spain, Finland (2), France, Great Britain, Germany (2), Hungary, Italy (2), Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States (2).
A broad field, though not a record one
Compared with recent editions, Salzburg sits near the top of the recent range. Helsinki 2025 had 20 teams from 16 countries (check out the 2025 results here). Zagreb 2024 featured 21 teams from 17 countries. Lake Placid 2023 still stands higher with 23 teams from 19 countries. Salzburg 2026 therefore marks an increase from 2025, even if it does not fully match the scale of 2023.
The official website also gives the event a clear identity. The 2026 edition is promoted under the slogan “United in Skating”, with an opening ceremony scheduled for April 9. Organizers have also announced the presence of the Special Olympics team Viennese Butterflies during that ceremony. It is a clear sign that Salzburg wants these Worlds to be both elite and inclusive.