A new Paracanoe ranking system will take centre stage in determining qualification for the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
The road to LA28 has been confirmed after the International Canoe Federation unveiled an exciting qualification system designed to deliver drama, intensity and compelling storylines as paddlers chase Paralympic dreams.
A total of 100 athlete quotas – 50 male and 50 female – will be on offer, maintaining full gender equality in Para Canoe for another Paralympic Games.
Qualification will be determined by the LA28 Paralympic Ranking – a high-stakes leaderboard in kayak and va’a, running from May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2028.
The system is based on the individual athlete performance in the respective categories of men’s KL1, women’s KL1, men’s KL2, women’s KL2, men’s KL3, women’s KL3, men’s VL2, women’s VL2, men’s VL3 and women’s VL3.
In each class, 10 quota places will be available – and only the highest-ranked paddlers will secure those precious tickets for their National Paralympic Committees.
Of the 100 quota places up for grabs, four will be allocated to the host country, including one male and one female in kayak and one male and one female in va’a.
The World Championships, World Cups, Continental Championships and National Championships will offer ranking points over Paralympic cycle.
The use of multipliers increases the points available at certain competitions, meaning paddlers will achieve greater points at the World Championships compared with other events.
Points will be multiplied by 1.5 at the World Championships, 1.0 at World Cups and Continental Championships, and 0.25 at National Championships.
Only one National Championship per year may be included in the 2028 Paralympic Ranking for each athlete as long as the competition meets ICF standards.
The new system will increase the stakes at the Paracanoe World Championships in Poznan, Poland in 2026 and Szeged, Hungary in 2027, while the 2028 Paracanoe World Championships will be the last chance to seal valuable ranking points.
Athletes can count their five best results – but at least one of those results must come from a different continent, ensuring the road to LA28 is truly global.
If there is more than one athlete entered in the same event from the same NPC at the same competition, both athletes may earn points.
John Edwards, Chair of the ICF Paracanoe Committee, said: “This new qualification system represents three years of dedicated collaboration by the qualification working group and invaluable engagement from our global community.
“The introduction of the Paralympic Ranking will dramatically raise the stakes at our competitions.
“Following the historic success of Paris 2024 – where paddlers from every continent won medals - we are witnessing the undeniable globalisation of our sport.
“Talent is no longer concentrated in a handful of regions, it is emerging from every corner of the world, strengthening competition and elevating standards.
“Over the next three years, anticipation will intensify and competition will become fiercer than ever as athletes across the globe chase qualification for LA28.”
For the full Paralympic qualification system for Para Canoe, click here.
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