Fast, exciting, and easy to understand: The Pro Climbing League is a new bouldering competition format that pits world-class athletes against each other in a thrilling head-to-head race. The first event will take place in London in February 2026, with worldwide broadcast provided by Red Bull TV.
Exciting head-to-head format
The idea behind the Pro Climbing League is simple: two athletes, two identical boulder problems, one direct comparison. The competition aims to offer both professional athletes and fans a new, exciting event and celebrate the love of the sport. The first Pro Climbing League will take place at The Magazine in London, Greenwich. Here, on February 28, 2026, 16 of the world's strongest athletes will compete against each other. Eight women and eight men will start in the new knockout system with three rounds, structured as head-to-head duels. Fourteen places have already been awarded by invitation, and two more – one each for men and women – will be determined at a qualifier event in London at the end of January. The two Olympians... Janja Garnbret and Toby Roberts are already confirmed for the competition, so anyone who wants to dare to compete against Janja or Toby will get the chance to do so at the qualifier.
I can't wait to participate in the Pro Climbing League. It's an exciting format that presents a new challenge for the athletes and will be a great event for the audience to watch.
Toby Roberts
A completely new mode
“Our new format brings pressure back to competitive climbing and offers the athletes of our sport a new kind of challenge – side by side in direct duels. It is designed to reward creativity and intuition as well as raw power,” says former coach Danaan Markey about the Pro Climbing League, which he developed together with climbing commentator Charlie Boscoe.
A total of 16 athletes will compete against each other in two different competitions: eight women and eight men. They will be divided into pairs and will boulder head-to-head through three rounds, reminiscent of the knockout lead climbing competition of the Arco Rock Master.
In the first round, the pairs compete directly against each other on three boulder problems. The winner is the person who tops the most problems. If both top a problem, the first one to do so wins. If neither tops a problem, the person who successfully held the highest hold wins. If there is still a tie, the time it takes to reach the top decides the winner. This knockout system continues until the final.
You can find more information about the format on the Website the Pro Climbing League.
You might be interested in:
- 2028 Olympics: separate medals for bouldering, lead & speed
- Janja Garnbret wins Olympic gold for the second time
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Credits: Images: Pro Climbing League