🌍 TREE CLIMBING COMPETITIONS IN EUROPE 2026
The European arborist season brings a wide range of tree climbing competitions every year, bringing together professional arborists, students, and enthusiasts from across Europe. Competitions organised under the ISA umbrella test climbing techniques, movement efficiency, safety, and the ability to deal with real-life situations encountered during work at height.
These competitions are not only sporting events, but also a place for sharing experience, presenting new equipment, and connecting the arborist community across Europe.
🌲 Tree climbing as part of modern arboriculture
Modern tree climbing combines physical fitness, technical knowledge, and efficient use of equipment. Competitions often showcase the latest trends in arboriculture – from advanced rope techniques to the newest equipment for ascent, positioning, and rescue.
That is why these events are interesting not only for competitors, but also for professional arborists, companies, and students.
🤝 Why visit arborist competitions
- opportunity to watch top climbers at work
- inspiration for your own techniques and equipment
- meeting the arborist community
- testing new equipment in practice
- gaining experience from an international environment
🧗 ISA competition disciplines
Tree climbing competitions simulate real working situations encountered by arborists while working in tree canopies.
Main disciplines include:
- Work Climb – movement and work in the tree canopy
- Aerial Rescue – rescue of an injured climber
- Ascent Event – rope ascent
- Throwline – installation line throwing accuracy
- Speed Climb – speed ascent
Not only speed is evaluated, but above all safety, efficiency, and correct working procedures.
⚠️ Important
Competition dates may change or be updated throughout the season. We recommend following the official ISA calendar and the organisers of individual events.
🌐 More information can be found on the ISA website and national arborist organisation websites.
🌍 European competition overview 2026
🇩🇰 DTCC – Denmark
📍 Stege (Møn)
📅 8–10 May 2026
🇮🇹 ITCC – Italy
📍 Verona
📅 13–16 May 2026
🇩🇪 GTCC – Germany
📍 Gablenz
📅 14–17 May 2026
🇭🇺 HTCC – Hungary
📍 Tata
📅 22–24 May 2026
🇸🇪 STCC – Sweden
📍 Jönköping
📅 May 22–24, 2026
🇱🇹 BSTCC – Baltic States
📍 Lithuania
📅 22–23 May 2026
🇨🇿 CTCC – Czech Republic
📍 Načeradec
📅 11–14 June 2026
🇸🇰 STCC – Slovakia
📍 Žiar nad Hronom
📅 24–28 June 2026
🇪🇸 ETCC – European Final
📍 Gijón, Spain
📅 3–5 July 2026
🇷🇴 RTCC – Romania
📍 Sibiu, Romania
📅 July 17–19, 2026
🇺🇦 UTCC – Ukraine
📍 Stryj
📅 July 25–26, 2026
ETCC (European Tree Climbing Championship) represents the peak of the European season. The best competitors from national championships qualify for the European final, and the winners then represent Europe at the ITCC World Championship.
