A total of 97 athletes (58 men and 39 women) representing 18 different countries have registered to compete. The USA has the largest delegation of 23 athletes, while the host nation Greece has 15 athletes ready to compete on home soil.

The stakes could not be higher.

Katerini carries quadruple ranking points, so there is still time for the standings to be turned upside down before the 2026 kings and queens of the sand are crowned. Seven of the eight current ranking leaders are competing, bringing together most of the season's biggest names for one final showdown.

Ukraine's Oleksii Boruta is leading the men's 70 kg standings after winning in Da Nang, Poreč and Baku, but four-time world champion Levan Kelekhsashvili from Georgia is close behind. In the 80 kg category, Georgia's Luka Chkhitunidze is in the lead following three victories, with Baku champion Vusal Aliyev among those looking to spoil the party. Third-ranked Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) is a notable absentee.

The men's 90 kg division could see some major changes. Ranking leader Oleksii Yakovchuk from Ukraine is not currently entered, while the second-ranked competitor, Ibrahim Yusubov (AZE), retired at the end of last season but remains high in the standings. This leaves three-time winner Ashraf Ashirov from Azerbaijan with a significant opportunity when quadruple points are at stake.

In the +90 kg division, Ukraine's Vazha Daiauri is in the lead, but Georgia's Mamuka Kordzaia, who beat him to the gold medal in Poreč, will be among those looking to have the final say in Katerini.

In the women's category, Viktoriia Slobodeniuk (UKR) is leading the 50 kg standings after achieving consecutive victories in Batumi and Baku. Meanwhile, Stefania Priceputu from Romania, who is currently ranked second, is not listed among the entrants.

Ukraine also leads the way in the 60 kg and 70 kg categories. Oksana Moskalova is on top at 60 kg after three victories this season, with fellow-Ukrainians Sofiia Kushnir and reigning World Champion Anastasiya Kravchenko among the threats. In the 70 kg category, Olena Nikitinska is on a run of three straight wins. Second-ranked Irina Ringaci from Moldova and Hungary’s third-ranked Viktoria Felho are not currently entered.

Then there's Eliana Bommarito.

The three-time world champion is leading the women's +70 kg standings after victories in Poreč and Batumi, and the American will be heading to Greece in pursuit of her fourth consecutive world title. Home favourite Stefania Zacheila and Daria Konstantynova from Ukraine, winner in Baku, will be among those trying to stop her.

The senior finale isn't the only major event coming to Katerini, either. The U20 World Championships will take place the day before, bringing another generation of wrestlers to the sand and adding countries including Japan, Norway and Bulgaria to an already international week of beach wrestling.

Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Côte d'Ivoire, Spain, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Japan, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine will all be represented throughout the week.

Four stops have brought us here. Now there is only one left:
Quadruple points. World titles are on the line. The biggest field of the year. The sand is ready. Katerini awaits. The time has come to crown the kings and queens of the sand for 2026.

Those unable to attend in person can follow the action across the official Beach Wrestling World Series social and digital media channels, including YouTube, the website, and Instagram for live updates, results, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the weekend.