Kinki Inter-High 2026: Schedule & Venues
Comprehensive guide to the 2026 Inter-High School Championships (Kinki Soutei) from July 22 to August 21, featuring schedule and venues for all 30 sports across Kinki region.
The 2026 National High School Athletic Meet (Inter-High), a summer festival where high school athletes from all over the country gather to showcase their hard work, will be held under the slogan "Kinki Soutei 2026" from Wednesday, July 22 to Friday, August 21, 2026. With Shiga Prefecture as the host, the tournament will span across 2 urban prefectures and 4 rural prefectures in the Kinki region (Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama), with some sports allocated to Fukushima and Hokkaido under a joint block-hosting system.
Inter-High is a crucial stepping stone for young talents aiming for the Olympics and world championships, showing the pinnacle of Japanese high school club sports. In this article, we explain the historical significance of the tournament, its social role, and differences from other high school sports meets (such as the National Sports Festival and individual championships), while providing a complete list of schedules and venues for all 30 sports (37 sub-categories) in a table format. We also introduce local sightseeing spots and safety measures to protect athletes from the extreme summer heat.
Historical Significance of Inter-High & Block Hosting in Kinki
The National High School Athletic Meet (commonly known as Inter-High) started in 1963 by integrating various national championship tournaments under the National High School Athletic Federation (All Japan Koutairen). It has been held annually to promote physical education and character building among youth.
While hosting by a single prefecture was once the norm, joint hosting by adjacent prefectures has become the standard in recent years to reduce administrative burdens. The Kinki Soutei 2026 aims to achieve sustainable management by utilizing existing top-tier sports facilities (such as the Shiga Lake Biwa Rowing Course and the new Kusatsu Aquatics Center) without excessive construction costs.
Comparison with Other Tournaments: The Unique Value of Inter-High
1. Difference from the National Sports Festival (Kokuspatsu)
The National Sports Festival features selected teams representing each prefecture, combining high school students, college students, and adults. In contrast, Inter-High is purely a competition between single-school teams. It represents the pride of the school and the strong bonds formed through daily training under the same club.
2. Difference from Winter Championships (e.g., Koshien, Winter Cup)
Major winter tournaments focus on single sports and receive high media coverage. On the other hand, Inter-High is a comprehensive sports meet hosting 30 sports simultaneously. It provides an equal opportunity for athletes in minor sports and individual disciplines to compete on the national stage.
Kinki Soutei 2026: All 30 Sports Schedule & Venues
The detailed schedule, hosting municipalities, and specific venues for all 30 sports (37 sub-categories) are summarized in the table below. Schedules and locations vary significantly depending on the sport, so please check before visiting.
| # | Sport | Schedule | Location (Prefecture / City) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track & Field | July 30 – August 3 | Shiga (Hikone) | Heiwado HATO Stadium |
| 2 | Gymnastics (Artistic) | July 31 – August 2 | Hyogo (Himeji) | Himeji City Central Gymnasium, etc. |
| 3 | Gymnastics (Rhythmic) | August 7 – August 9 | Hyogo (Nishinomiya) | Hyogo Prefectural General Gymnasium |
| 4 | Swimming (Swimming) | August 13 – August 16 | Shiga (Kusatsu) | Infroneer Kusatsu Aquatics Center |
| 5 | Swimming (Diving) | August 17 – August 20 | Shiga (Kusatsu) | Infroneer Kusatsu Aquatics Center |
| 6 | Swimming (Water Polo) | August 18 – August 21 | Shiga (Kusatsu) | Infroneer Kusatsu Aquatics Center |
| 7 | Basketball | July 28 – August 2 | Osaka (Osaka / Sakai) | Asue Arena Osaka, Ohama Daishin Arena, etc. |
| 8 | Volleyball (Boys) | July 31 – August 4 | Kyoto (Kyoto) | Kyoto City Gymnasium, etc. |
| 9 | Volleyball (Girls) | August 3 – August 7 | Shiga (Kusatsu / Moriyama) | YMIT Arena, Moriyama City Gymnasium |
| 10 | Table Tennis | July 26 – July 30 | Osaka (Osaka) | Edion Arena Osaka (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium) |
| 11 | Soft Tennis | July 29 – August 4 | Kyoto (Fukuchiyama) | Fukuchiyama Sandanike Park Tennis Courts, etc. |
| 12 | Handball | July 26 – July 31 | Nara (Tenri / Sakurai) | Tenri University Somanouchi 1st Gym, Sakurai City Shiba Sports Park Gym |
| 13 | Soccer (Boys) | July 26 – August 1 | Fukushima (Outside Block) | J-Village, Hawaiians Stadium Iwaki, etc. |
| 14 | Soccer (Girls) | July 26 – July 30 | Hokkaido (Outside Block) | Muroran Irie Sports Park Athletic Stadium, etc. |
| 15 | Badminton | July 26 – July 30 | Wakayama (Wakayama) | Wakayama Big Whale, Wakayama Big Wave |
| 16 | Softball (Boys) | August 2 – August 5 | Osaka (Sakai) | Sakai Minato Sakai Green Hiroba |
| 17 | Softball (Girls) | July 26 – July 29 | Osaka (Sakai) | Sakai Minato Sakai Green Hiroba |
| 18 | Sumo | July 26 – July 28 | Wakayama (Wakayama) | Wakayama Prefectural Sumo Ring |
| 19 | Judo | July 28 – August 1 | Wakayama (Wakayama) | Wakayama Big Whale |
| 20 | Kendo | August 3 – August 6 | Nara (Kashihara) | JTEKT Arena Nara (Kashihara Public Park Gymnasium) |
| 21 | Wrestling | July 29 – August 1 | Wakayama (Nachikatsuura) | Nachikatsuura Town Gymnasium |
| 22 | Kyudo (Archery) | July 29 – August 1 | Wakayama (Tanabe) | Tanabe City Gymnasium |
| 23 | Tennis | August 1 – August 7 | Nara (Kashihara / Asuka) | Kashihara Public Park Asuka Tennis Courts, etc. |
| 24 | Mountaineering | August 1 – August 5 | Hyogo (Yabu / Kami) | Mt. Hyo, Mt. Hachibuse, Mt. Sobu Special Course |
| 25 | Cycling (Track) | August 1 – August 3 | Kyoto (Muko) | Mukomachi Velodrome |
| 26 | Cycling (Road) | August 4 | Kyoto (Nantan) | Miyama Town Special Road Race Course |
| 27 | Boxing | July 26 – July 31 | Kyoto (Kyoto) | Shimadzu Arena Kyoto (Kyoto Prefectural Gymnasium) |
| 28 | Hockey | August 7 – August 12 | Shiga (Maibara / Nagahama) | OSP Hockey Stadium, Ibuki 1st Ground, etc. |
| 29 | Weightlifting | August 2 – August 6 | Shiga (Otsu) | Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium (Ukaruchan Arena) |
| 30 | Yachting | August 11 – August 15 | Wakayama (Wakayama) | Wakayama Sailing Center |
| 31 | Fencing | July 26 – July 29 | Shiga (Otsu) | Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium (Ukaruchan Arena) |
| 32 | Karate | July 26 – July 29 | Hyogo (Himeji) | Himeji City Central Gymnasium |
| 33 | Archery | August 7 – August 9 | Osaka (Sakai) | Sakai Kanaoka Park Athletic Field |
| 34 | Naginata | August 3 – August 5 | Nara (Kashihara) | JTEKT Arena Nara |
| 35 | Canoeing | August 16 – August 19 | Hyogo (Shiso) | Onsuiko Canoe Venue |
| 36 | Shorinji Kempo | July 25 – July 27 | Wakayama (Wakayama) | Wakayama Big Wave |
| 37 | Rowing | July 29 – August 1 | Shiga (Otsu) | Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Rowing Course |
Key Sports & Nearby Sightseeing Spots
・Shiga: Track & Field and Lake Biwa
In Hikone, you can visit the national treasure Hikone Castle, which offers a beautiful view of Lake Biwa and a historic townscape.
・Kyoto: Cycling and Miyama Nature
Miyama Town in Nantan City is famous for its Kayabuki (thatched-roof) village, allowing spectators to enjoy dynamic road racing alongside beautiful historic scenery.
・Osaka: Basketball and Urban Attractions
After watching matches at Asue Arena Osaka, you can visit Osaka Castle, Dotonbori for local street food, or Universal Studios Japan (USJ) to enjoy urban entertainment.
Heat & Safety Measures for Summer Sports
To prevent heatstroke during the hot summer season, Kinki Soutei 2026 implements strict safety measures.
[Summer Safety Guidelines]
1. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Monitoring: Outdoor events are suspended or modified if WBGT exceeds safety limits.
2. Cooling Shelters: Air-conditioned tents with ice and oral rehydration solutions are provided near venues.
3. Emergency Routes: Medical transport routes to regional hospitals are prepared in advance for emergencies.
Conclusion
Kinki Soutei 2026 showcases the passion of next-generation athletes. Let's support them through local matches or live streams while keeping our parks clean and safe.
【Sources】
1. Official Website of Inter-High "Kinki Soutei 2026"
2. All Japan High School Athletic Federation Official Website
3. Shiga Prefecture Official Website - Inter-High Shiga Committee