In Rhythmic Gymnastics, cities like Sofia, Baku, Budapest, and Tartu host most major competitions. With 17 Europeans in the top 20 world rankings, it isn't easy to find events hosted outside of Europe. For fans elsewhere, this concentration doesn't allow easy access. However, several opportunities exist for international spectators to experience this elegant sport live.
Major Non-European Events
2025 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro
The recent World Championships in Brazil marked an important step in globalizing the sport, despite some organizational challenges. Here, American Rin Keys made history by becoming the first U.S. senior to medal at Rhythmic World Championships, claiming silver on ball.
Aeon Cup 2025 in Tokyo
Dates: October 10-13, 2025
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
Format: Features both team and individual all-around competitions for seniors and juniors
Notable participants in 2024: Taisiia Onofriichuk (Ukraine), Sofia Raffaeli (Italy), and Alina Harnasko (AIN)
Website: Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation
Tashkent World Cup
Location: Uzbekistan
Typical timing: April
Notable participants: Olympic champion Darja Varfolomeev (Germany) and Uzbekistan's Takhmina Ikromova (ranked 5th in 2025 World Championships)
Note: While technically outside Europe, limited flight options can make this event challenging to attend
National Events Worth Watching
USA Gymnastics Championships
Dates: June 20-28, 2026
Location: To be confirmed (United States)
Featured athlete: Rin Keys, 2025 World Championships silver medalist
Website: USA Gymnastics
China's National Games
Dates: November 8-10, 2025
Location: Shenzhen, China
Featured athlete: Wang Zilu (7th place, Olympic Games)
Website: 2025 National Games
Ticketing: Online purchase available through official platforms; prices listed in RMB with fixed exchange rates for Hong Kong sales
Tips for International Fans
Plan ahead: Many of these events sell tickets months in advance, with some using real-name registration systems.
Follow official federation websites for the most current information on events and ticketing.
Check visa and other rules: You may be eligible for the visa-free policy for 240 hours transit if you enter China via Shenzhen port. Japan allows many western passport holders to entry visa-free.