After two days of superb action on My Khe Beach in Da Nang, the athletes are now turning their attention to one of the most established events in the World Series calendar. With early ranking points already secured and momentum building, the Croatian leg has added importance as competitors look to strengthen their positions as the season progresses.

A total of 13 nations are set to be represented in Poreč, bringing together a strong international field featuring returning medallists, experienced World Series competitors, and athletes looking to make their mark on the 2026 campaign.

This will be the third time that the Beach Wrestling World Series has visited Poreč, and the fourth time that the tour has come to Croatia, further cementing the country's growing importance within the international beach wrestling calendar.

Competition will take place at Plava Laguna, one of the most notable coastal venues on the World Series tour. Set along the Adriatic coastline, the venue is renowned for its summer atmosphere, scenic backdrop, and the unique energy surrounding beach wrestling competitions. With matches taking place just metres from the sea, Poreč continues to capture the distinct vibe that has helped to make beach wrestling one of the sport's most visually recognisable international formats.

Several of the standout performers from the opening event in Da Nang are expected to compete again in Croatia, having delivered impressive performances in Vietnam. Ukraine had a strong start to the season with Oleksii Boruta (70 kg) and Vazha Daiauri in the heavyweight division, while Luka Chkhitunidze of Georgia and Ashraf Ashirov of Azerbaijan also secured gold medals at the first event of the 2026 campaign.

The women’s divisions are also expected to attract considerable attention in Poreč. Ukraine’s Oksana Moskalova and Sofiia Kushnir both impressed in the women’s 60 kg category in Da Nang, and Greece’s Stefania Zacheila and Ukraine’s Olena Nikitinska will also arrive in Croatia with momentum after their performances there.

Poreč has become a familiar destination on the Beach Wrestling World Series circuit in recent years, consistently delivering high-level competition against one of the tour's most visually striking backdrops. The compact nature of beach wrestling produces fast-paced and unpredictable contests where momentum can shift in seconds and every move is significant.

As the tour moves from Asia to Europe, the second stop of the season offers athletes another crucial opportunity to build up their rankings early in the campaign. With several weight categories already looking closely contested after Vietnam, performances in Croatia could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the race towards the 2026 World Series finals.

The competition begins on 30 May, as the Beach Wrestling World Series continues its global journey on the sands of Poreč. Fans unable to attend in person at Plava Laguna will be able to follow the event throughout the weekend via the official Beach Wrestling World Series digital media channels, including YouTube, the website, and social media ,for live updates, results, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage.