The International Boxing Association (IBA) is set to open a new chapter in international boxing with the launch of IBA Elite, a new global competition platform built around sporting performance, continuous international competition and a clear pathway towards the biggest stages in IBA boxing.
The journey will begin in Istanbul, Türkiye, where the IBA President’s Cup 2026 will become the inaugural event of IBA Elite, taking place from 25 November to 5 December 2026.
Featuring 14 men’s weight categories, the President’s Cup will be staged as an open international competition welcoming both elite amateur and professional boxers, backed by a total prize money fund of USD 3 million.
The action will take place at the Başakşehir Gençlik ve Spor Tesisleri, a venue already familiar to the international boxing community after hosting the 2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Four years later, the arena will once again welcome boxers from around the world — this time for the opening chapter of IBA Elite.
A new global pathway for elite boxing
IBA Elite has been created to provide leading boxers with a stronger and more continuous international competition structure, offering regular opportunities to face high-level opposition and progress on sporting merit.
At the centre of the new system will be the IBA World Ranking, designed to accompany boxers throughout their sporting journey and connect their performances across IBA Elite competitions.
Every result will matter. Ranking points earned through competition will build a boxer’s international standing and play an important role in qualification for future editions of the IBA President’s Cup and the IBA World Championships.
This creates a clear sporting pathway in which performances throughout the season can lead towards IBA’s most important competitions.
IBA Elite will also strengthen the bridge towards IBA Pro, giving outstanding boxers the opportunity to showcase themselves internationally and potentially progress into IBA’s professional competition structure.
Rewarding performance at every stage
A central part of the new competition model is IBA’s commitment to rewarding sporting achievement.
Individual boxer prize money at the President’s Cup will reach USD 80,000 for first place, USD 40,000 for second place, USD 22,000 for third place and USD 5,000 for fifth place in each weight category.
Recognition will begin before the final stages of the tournament. Boxers will receive USD 500 for each bout won on their way towards the quarter-finals. Once reaching the quarter-finals, they will move into the placement-based prize money structure, beginning with the fifth-place award.
The overall prize money model will recognise not only the athlete but also the team behind the performance, with awards distributed 50% to the boxer, 25% to the coach and 25% to the National Federation.
The principle is simple: reward the boxer, recognise the team and support the National Federation.
An open stage for the world
As the inaugural IBA Elite competition, the President’s Cup will open its doors to boxers from across the international boxing landscape.
The inclusion of both elite amateur and professional boxers is a defining feature of the event, creating a stage where established international champions, leading national athletes, emerging talent and professional fighters can compete within the same global competition framework.
For IBA-affiliated National Federations, Istanbul represents the opportunity to bring their strongest athletes into the new IBA Elite pathway from its very beginning.
The journey starts in Istanbul
The IBA President’s Cup 2026 will mark more than the beginning of a new competition.
It will establish the starting point of a sporting pathway designed to connect international competition, the IBA World Ranking, future President’s Cups, the IBA World Championships and opportunities within IBA Pro.
IBA invites its affiliated National Federations and eligible boxers from around the world to be part of this inaugural event and the beginning of IBA Elite.
The official Team Delegations’ Handbook, containing full participation requirements and competition information, will be distributed to National Federations in the coming days, together with the opening of registration for the IBA President’s Cup 2026.
Further registration information and event updates will also be published through IBA’s official channels.
The world is invited. IBA Elite starts here.
