Two top-tier Union Internationale Motonautique world championships will be staged in Shanghai's Baoshan district during the October National Day holiday, local authorities announced.

The 2026 F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Shanghai and the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship Grand Prix of Shanghai will run back-to-back in the district for the first time. The Aquabike event kicks off the double-header on Oct 2 to 3, followed by the F1H2O race on Oct 4 to 5. Both competitions will be held on the inland waters of the Shanghai Long Beach area, a waterfront zone near the Yangtze River estuary and Wusongkou International Cruise Port.

Widely known as the Formula 1 on Water, F1H2O is the highest class of circuit powerboat racing, with boats reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h. Around 18 elite drivers will compete in qualifying sessions, sprint races, and the main grand prix. The Aquabike championship, which features runabout, ski, and freestyle categories, has drawn more than 65 riders, including 13 Chinese athletes.

This will be the third consecutive year Baoshan has hosted the F1H2O championship. The UIM has designated the district as a permanent host venue for the event, which will be broadcast via satellite to more than 100 countries and regions.

Tickets are now on sale through Damai, with half-day, full-day, two-day, and family pass options. Prices start at 135 yuan ($20.1) for the Aquabike event and 160 yuan for F1H2O. Organizers have added 448 grandstand seats, bringing total capacity to 1,560, and forecast daily attendance to top 12,500.

Source: China Daily