Expect athleticism and speed at the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships

When the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships roll into the nation’s capital in September, it will be a first not just for Ottawa, but for Canada. 

“It’s never happened in Canada before,” says Cindy Burwell, executive director for the championships, adding the last two IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships were held in Dubai and Germany, respectively. “These are the best wheelchair basketball athletes in the world competing from around the globe – they’re coming from Australia, Japan, South America, Africa and Europe.  

“Outside of the Paralympics, it’s the biggest para sport event that's ever been held in Canada.” 

From Sept. 9 to 19, 2026, spectators can simultaneously experience both men’s and women’s world championships. Twenty-eight teams from 19 countries – a whopping 336 athletes – will battle it out for the world title. Burwell says the level of competition will be impressive, particularly for those who have never watched wheelchair basketball before. 

“Newcomers are going to be surprised at the athleticism, the speed and the physicality of the sport,” she says. “I think people have a misconception because it's a sport for people with a disability, but it's very athletic. 

“It's exhilarating to watch; they're moving very quickly up and down the court, there's lots of bangs and crashes.” 

Burwell says another common misconception is that wheelchair basketball athletes play by different rules. 

“It's actually more or less the same rules as stand-up basketball,” she explains. “The height of the net is the same, the free throw line is the same, the three-point line is the same – and they are sinking three-point shots from sitting positions.” 

Spread across two venues – TD Place and Carleton University – the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships will see 98 games over 11 days. It’s an ambitious schedule even compared to other world sporting events, says Burwell. 

“If you think about it, the FIFA World Cup was 104 games, and it was six weeks and three countries,” she says. “We're doing basically what they did in 11 days in one city.” 

Ceremonies and theme days 

Opening day on Sept. 9 offers spectators a stacked lineup at TD Place; the Team Canada women will play in the late afternoon, followed by the opening ceremony and the Team Canada men’s game. 

“It's probably the only time in the entire schedule that you could come and watch both Team Canada men's and women's teams playing and see the opening ceremony,” says Burwell, adding the 45-minute ceremony promises to be entertaining.  

On closing day, Sept. 19, the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships will feature both the men’s and women’s bronze medal and gold medal games. A closing ceremony – featuring medal presentations for both men and women – will conclude the events.  

Throughout the championships, many Ottawa-area school groups are scheduled to be in attendance. Burwell says plans are also underway to stage several theme days, including Women and Girls Day, Military Appreciation Day, and a Charities Day. Burwell hopes the special themes – and the many countries represented – will give Ottawans a reason to come watch a game. 

“There's such an international community in Ottawa; our hope is that the different cultural communities will come out and support their team,” she says. “We'd love to see the Italian community come out and support team Italy.  

“Italy didn't qualify for the FIFA World Cup, so it's an opportunity for the Italian community to come out and support.” 

Making room for inclusivity 

Wheelchair basketball has a strong mandate around inclusion and aims to promote understanding of athletes living with disabilities. 

“It’s one of the rare sports where you don’t have to have a disability to play wheelchair basketball – up to a certain point,” explains Burwell, adding that athletes competing up to the level of the Canada Games can play without a disability. “It’s a very inclusive sport in that regard, and it's actually good for the sport for the growth of the sport.  

“If people that don't have a disability play it, it gives more competition for the people with disabilities to grow and develop as athletes.” 

All athletes competing at the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, however, do have some form of disability. Burwell hopes the championships will help to shift the overarching narrative around wheelchair basketball. 

“We’re really hoping that this will change people’s perspective about disability,” she says. “Our goal is that when people arrive in the city, they feel welcome; there’s not a real barrier to their disability. 

“They can move around; they can be seen as athletes – and not as people with a disability in the sport.” 

Attend the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships  

Tickets for the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships are $10 at Carleton University, or $35 for a full day pass at TD Place. Family packs and group packs are available. To purchase tickets online, visit ottawa2026.ca.