WST World Cup Rome 2026 Kicks Off Road to Los Angeles Olympics 2028
Report by Sunando Mitra | IBG NEWS
Rome, Italy: The journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games officially began on May 28 as the World Skateboarding Tour (WST) World Cup Rome 2026 was launched during a high-profile press conference at the historic Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome.
The World Skateboarding Tour, organized by World Skate—the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognized governing body for skateboarding—serves as the official qualification pathway for athletes aiming to compete at the LA28 Olympic Games. Rome, which has established itself as one of the world’s premier skateboarding destinations since the sport’s Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, will host the opening qualification events next month.
The launch ceremony brought together leading figures from the sporting and public sectors, including Sabatino Aracu, President of World Skate and Skate Italia; Diego Nepi Molineris, CEO of Sport e Salute; Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI; Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s Councillor for Major Events, Sport and Tourism; Mario Luciano Crea, President of the Lazio Regional Council for Sport, Culture and Tourism; and representatives of the Metropolitan City of Rome.
Also present was Italian skateboarding star Alessandro Mazzara, a native of Rome and one of the country’s leading Park discipline athletes. Mazzara narrowly missed a podium finish at last year’s competition in Ostia, placing fourth in the medal final.
First Step on the Road to LA28
The WST World Cup Rome 2026 will be the first Olympic qualification event in the lead-up to Los Angeles 2028. The competition will feature separate Park and Street skateboarding contests over two consecutive weeks, transforming Rome into the global center of skateboarding for a fortnight.
The event will run from June 7 to June 21, 2026.
Competition begins with the WST Rome Park World Cup at the renowned Spot Skatepark in Ostia on June 7. One week later, attention will shift to the iconic Colle Oppio Skatepark near the Colosseum, where the WST Rome Street World Cup will take place against one of the most recognizable backdrops in world sport.
More than 440 skateboarders from 66 countries are expected to participate, showcasing the sport’s growing international appeal and Olympic significance.
Equal Opportunities and Global Reach
Both men’s and women’s competitions will offer equal prize money and status, with a total purse of US$200,000 per discipline, divided equally between the two categories.
Several of skateboarding’s biggest international stars are expected to compete, including Chloe Covell, Tom Schaar, Jagger Eaton and Arisa Trew, all seeking an early advantage in the race for Olympic qualification.
Spectators will be able to attend both events free of charge thanks to the partnership between World Skate and Italy’s state sports organization, Sport e Salute. In addition, the competitions will be broadcast live worldwide through digital platforms, television partners, and World Skate’s official YouTube channel, ensuring global accessibility for skateboarding fans.
Rome Emerges as Global Skateboarding Hub
Addressing media representatives during the launch event, World Skate President Sabatino Aracu emphasized the growing influence of skateboarding and roller sports worldwide.
He noted that skateboarding continues to thrive because of its urban culture, youthful appeal, and sustainable character. Aracu highlighted Rome’s emergence as a global skateboarding capital, citing the world-class facilities in Ostia and Colle Oppio, which attract elite athletes and champions from across the globe throughout the year.
According to Aracu, Rome has firmly established itself as an international hub for Olympic skateboarding, reinforcing its status as a key destination on the road to Los Angeles 2028.
As the countdown to the Olympic Games continues, the WST World Cup Rome 2026 is set to provide the first major glimpse of the athletes and nations that could shape the future of Olympic skateboarding.
Source: World Skate Media Release.
