Flagstaff, AZ USA
There’s something electric about an Arnis tournament. The crack of rattan against rattan, the clash of styles from different schools, and the pride of carrying forward a Filipino martial art that’s now recognized around the world. Competition sharpens skill and honors tradition. And at the top of that pyramid sits the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF), which has been guiding Arnis athletes onto the global stage since 1989.
The 18th WEKAF World Championships will be held in Romania in 2026. To get there, fighters and teams are working through a packed 2025 calendar. Below you’ll find the confirmed events still to come, the competitions that have already been completed, and a set of pending regional events that may shape the road ahead.
The headline event still ahead this year, the Australian State Championships carry both tradition and weight. Expect the full range of competition:
Sayaw (forms)
Single stick (traditional and non-traditional)
Double stick
Bangkaw (staff)
Padded point sparring
Knife point
For athletes in Oceania, this is not just another test — it is a qualifier for Romania 2026. The energy at these championships is fierce, as every strike could decide who represents the region on the world stage.
Arnis is a living tradition. By looking back at what’s already happened, we see both the rhythm of competition and the standards that set the stage for the next Worlds.
Few places could capture the essence of Arnis like Cebu, often called the cradle of Eskrima. The 17th Worlds in 2024 turned the city into a living arena. Streets filled with delegations carrying national flags. In the competition halls, the rhythm of rattan echoed against cheers in dozens of languages.
Cebu wasn’t just another tournament — it was a pilgrimage. For Filipino fighters, it was the chance to represent their art on home soil. For international athletes, it was a chance to feel the roots of the practice they’ve embraced. Cebu 2024 was a reminder that the Worlds are not only about medals, but about heritage, community, and the thrill of carrying Filipino martial arts forward into the future.
Held at All Active Martial Arts in Epping, this event focused on Bangkaw and Knife Point divisions. Though smaller in scale, it provided fighters with vital live-match experience and helped prepare competitors for the State Championships later in the year.
Europe’s flagship event brought together athletes from across the continent. With single and double stick, bangkaw, Sayaw, and padded sparring divisions, the Polish championship demonstrated how far Arnis has spread. Fighters clashed in bouts that were fast, technical, and passionate — sharpening skills in preparation for Romania.
Beyond the official WEKAF calendar, several events have surfaced through regional bodies, affiliate organizations, and local announcements. Some are verified, others remain tentative. Here’s what we know about past and pending Arnis events:
DAVRAA Meet 2025 – Tagum, Philippines (March 7–11, 2025)
Organizer: Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA)
Venue: Robinsons Place Tagum, Tagum, Davao del Norte
Contact: leonardsydrick@gmail.com
Note: A major school-based athletic meet that includes Filipino martial arts. While not fully confirmed as WEKAF-sanctioned, it shows the grassroots depth of Arnis competition in the Philippines.
Antigua, Guatemala – Pan Am / WEKAF Tournament (October 15–18, 2025)
Source: Announced via WEKAF USA’s Facebook page
Organizer: WEKAF USA (contact via facebook.com/WEKAFUSA)
Note: Billed as the first Pan Am Arnis and Karate tournament in Antigua. Awaiting an official registration page and sanction details.
Fayetteville, NC, USA – August 23, 2025
Source: Listed in WEKAF-USA affiliated posts
Organizer / Contact: Not confirmed; inquiries can be directed to WEKAF USA social media
Note: Needs formal verification, but reflects growing grassroots movement in the U.S.
Southeast Regional Qualifier – Fayetteville, NC (February 7, 2026)
Organizer: WEKAF USA (via regional chapter posts)
Note: Falls just outside 2025 but worth flagging for fighters preparing for Romania.
Disclaimer: Pending events are listed as a service to the community. Until confirmed by WEKAF or regional federations, details should be treated as provisional.
Arnis is the official national martial art and sport of the Philippines, recognized by law (RA 9850, passed in 2009). But the roots of Arnis competition stretch back decades earlier. In the late 20th century, as Filipino martial arts gained global attention, there was a push to create a unified rule set that allowed practitioners to test themselves safely and fairly.
The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) was founded in 1989 in Cebu City, the heartland of Arnis. Its goal was simple: create a global platform for Arnis fighters, much like Judo or Taekwondo had already established. Since then, WEKAF has hosted World Championships every two years, rotating locations while keeping Cebu as a frequent hub.
Today, WEKAF tournaments draw competitors from Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. Rule sets may vary (armor vs padded sticks), but the essence is the same: speed, control, precision, and the unmistakable crack of rattan meeting rattan.
Every two years, the Arnis world gathers to celebrate and test the art at its highest level. The 17th Worlds took place in Cebu in July 2024, drawing fighters from across the globe. In 2026, Romania takes the torch, marking the first time the Worlds will be hosted in Eastern Europe.
Why Romania? The country has become a strong hub for Arnis over the past decade, with clubs multiplying and athletes consistently reaching medal rounds. Hosting the Worlds here signals WEKAF’s intent to keep the sport truly global.
Expect hundreds of fighters, thousands of spectators, and the best Arnis talent the world has to offer. For many, just stepping into that arena will be a dream fulfilled.
Not every practitioner starts with the Worlds in mind. Here’s the usual pathway:
Local Tournaments: Often run by schools or clubs, these build confidence and experience.
Regional/State Championships: Larger pools of competitors, more structured judging, and pathways to national selection.
National Tournaments: In the Philippines, these include DepEd leagues and the Palarong Pambansa. In other countries, these often feed into WEKAF events.
Continental Championships: Like the European Championship or Pan-American events.
World Championships: The pinnacle, held every two years.
For students training in clubs outside the Philippines, it’s worth asking instructors if there are local WEKAF affiliates or friendly tournaments nearby. Even if you never step into a World Championship, the experience of competing can deepen your understanding of the art.
If you’re new to watching Arnis tournaments, here’s what makes them unique:
Speed and Rhythm: Unlike some point-sparring systems, Arnis bouts move at breakneck pace. Judges must be sharp to score.
Variety of Weapons: From single stick to double stick to staff and knife simulators, Arnis competition covers a range of traditional weapons.
Armor vs. Padded Sticks: Depending on the ruleset, fighters may wear heavy armor (as in WEKAF armor events) or go lighter with padded sticks. Each brings a different strategy.
Sayaw (Forms): These divisions showcase tradition, artistry, and cultural pride alongside full-contact matches.
This blend of culture and combat makes Arnis competition unlike anything else in martial arts.
The 2025 Arnis competition calendar now stands as part record, part roadmap. Past events like Cebu 2024 remind us of what the Worlds represent. Completed tournaments in Europe and Australia show the sport’s global spread. Pending events give us a glimpse of grassroots momentum. And the Australian State Championships in November still lie ahead as a key stepping stone to Romania.
Every strike, every match, and every qualifier builds toward the same destination. The circle is already drawn on the map. Romania 2026 awaits.
The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) is the largest international body governing Arnis competition. Founded in 1989 in Cebu, Philippines, it hosts the World Championships every two years.
The 18th WEKAF World Championships will take place in Romania in 2026. The previous Worlds were held in Cebu, Philippines in 2024.
Yes. Confirmed WEKAF events include the European Championship (Poland, Sept 13–14, 2025), a local Australia tournament (Victoria, Sept 6, 2025), and the Australia State Championships (Nov 29–30, 2025). These lead directly into the 2026 Worlds.
The 17th WEKAF Worlds in Cebu (2024) showcased the global reach of Arnis, drawing delegations worldwide. Early 2025 also included the European and Australia local tournaments. These past events set the rhythm and anticipation for Romania 2026.
Several regionals are emerging, such as the DAVRAA Meet 2025 in Tagum (organized by DAVRAA, contact: leonardsydrick@gmail.com), a Pan Am WEKAF tournament in Antigua, Guatemala (Oct 15–18, 2025, announced by WEKAF USA), and a tentative event in Fayetteville, NC (Aug 23, 2025). These are not fully confirmed and should be treated as provisional until official WEKAF listings are released.
Athletes usually qualify through national or regional WEKAF-affiliated tournaments. For example, the 2025 Australia State Championships serve as a qualifier for Romania 2026.
Typical divisions include single stick, double stick, bangkaw (staff), Sayaw (forms), padded point sparring, and knife point.
