The World Climbing Series 2026 continues in Bern with the second Boulder competition of the season and third event overall, following the opening double-header in China – first in Keqiao, then in Wujiang.
A total of 162 athletes are registered to compete – 86 men and 76 women – representing 34 nations across five continents. The event brings another stacked international field to the Swiss capital, which previously hosted the IFSC Climbing and Para Climbing World Championships in August 2023, as well as an IFSC Climbing World Cup in June 2025.
MACDOUGALL READY FOR BERN RETURN
Among the climbers returning to Bern is Jack MacDougall of Great Britain, who competed at his first World Championships here in 2023, reaching the men’s Boulder semi-final and placing 16th overall.
Reflecting on that event, MacDougall immediately pointed to the atmosphere inside the arena as his strongest memory.
“Oh my god, the crowd! It was the biggest arena I’d ever climbed in so it felt like something else,” he said. “Being lucky enough to actually send a couple boulders that round… wow it was so much. I’m definitely looking forward to doing it again this weekend!”
At the following edition of the World Championships, the British climber continued his progression by reaching the men’s Boulder final at Seoul 2025. Now, after placing 15th at the season opener in Keqiao, he is looking for his first final appearance in a World Cup or World Climbing Series event.
“I feel so good! I’ve really worked hard this winter, lots of board climbing, gym work, fingerboard… and I hope it’s paid off,” said the 20-year-old from Leeds. “Hopefully I’ll get some boulders to really show it out here in Bern, because I didn’t put myself through all that weighted Kilterboard for nothing!”
MacDougall is widely known for openly showing his emotions during competition, something he says reflects his personality away from the wall as well.
“For sure, I even write ‘feel it all’ as a reminder on my shoes! It would be a crime to live this life without really experiencing it and, for me, the emotional rollercoaster is what it’s all about,” he explained.
