Astana confirmed as host of 2027 World Taekwondo Championships

WUXI, China (Oct. 22, 2025) – Astana, Kazakhstan was today approved as host of the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships by the World Taekwondo Council at its meeting ahead of tomorrow’s elective World Taekwondo General Assembly.

It marks the first time ever that the World Taekwondo Championships will be held in Kazakhstan, and will bring together the world’s best Taekwondo athletes to compete in outstanding facilities one year before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The World Taekwondo Council also awarded the 2027 World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships to Samokov, Bulgaria.

Host City Contracts were signed following the World Taekwondo Council meeting.

World Taekwondo President Dr Chungwon Choue said: “Congratulations to Astana and Samokov on being awarded the 2027 World Taekwondo Championships and World Taekwondo Under-21 Championships, respectively.

“We are pleased to have two excellent hosts for our events, and look forward to seeing the sport’s biggest stars competing in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics.”

During the World Taekwondo Council meeting, President Choue gratefully received the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch, kindly donated by IOC Culture and Heritage Commission member and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Board member Justin Hou. This adds to World Taekwondo’s collection of Olympic Torches from Games where Taekwondo has featured as a medal sport.

World Taekwondo Council members also approved the appointment of Aïcha Garad Ali as Honorary Vice-President, and President Choue presented her with a plaque of appreciation for her service as Vice-President.

A plaque of appreciation was also presented by President Choue to African Taekwondo Union President Issaka Ide, who is not standing for re-election on the World Taekwondo Council.

President Choue updated the World Taekwondo Council on his recent meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, and confirmed that the 2025 Gala Awards and a World Taekwondo Extraordinary Council meeting will be held in Fujairah, UAE on February 1, 2026.

The World Taekwondo Council met prior to a record-breaking World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi from October 24-30, which will feature 991 athletes from 179 Member National Associations, Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), athletes competing under the World Taekwondo flag and the World Taekwondo Refugee Team.

The World Taekwondo Championships was last held in China in Beijing in 2007. President Choue reflected on World Taekwondo’s development since then, and invited the room to observe a moment of silence in memory of Council members who have passed away since then.

Reports were also heard from World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo, Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Membership and Integrity Department Corbin Min, and World Taekwondo Technical Commission Chair Philippe Bouedo and Sports Director Kisam Kim on proposed rule amendments, which were approved by the Council to be presented to the World Taekwondo General Assembly.

This was the final meeting of the World Taekwondo Council’s mandate, with elections to be held during tomorrow’s World Taekwondo General Assembly.
“I wish to thank every one of you for your friendship and commitment all these years,” President Choue.