Liverpool to Host Inaugural World Boxing Championships

Liverpool will host for the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 from September 4-14 at M&S Bank Arena, the first Elite-level global championship for men and women hosted by the international federation.

The action will feature competition in 10 weight classes for both men and women and will be the first time that male and female boxers have competed in Olympic-style boxing for the title of world champion at the same event.

“Liverpool is a globally famous city with a proud heritage in boxing and it will be a fantastic place to host our first ever Elite World Boxing Championships,” said World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst. “I would like to thank all of our partners in Great Britain and the city of Liverpool for their enthusiasm and support in wanting to stage these Championships and I look forward to working closely with all of them to deliver what will be a historic event for the boxers and for our sport.”

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. It currently has 44 members.

“We are delighted to be supporting the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool next year, an event which will support efforts to help the sport establish a long-term future in the Olympic movement,” said Esther Britten, head of events and external affairs at UK Sport. “After the incredible summer of sport, having the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd is a huge boost for our boxers. We look forward to working with our event hosting partners to deliver this exciting event.”

Liverpool was the location for the European Boxing Championships in 2008. It also hosted the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup and the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships at the M&S Bank Arena and The Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2023.

“The World Boxing Championships is not just another big sporting event – it is a game-changer for us,” said England Boxing Chief Executive Jerome Pels. “It is a strategic initiative that aligns with our goals of establishing a unified international governing body, inspiring the next generation of boxers, boosting participation, and strengthening communities through boxing.”