The corresponding decree on holding the Festival in the Ural city was signed on December 29 by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

"In 2026, Russia will once again open its doors to young people from all over the world. The largest international youth event will take place in Ekaterinburg, the capital of the Urals, where the border between Europe and Asia runs. Holding the Festival in the Ural city will demonstrate the uniqueness of Russia, uniting the traditions and potential of Europe and Asia. 10,000 participants will take part in the large–scale event: 5,000 from Russia and 5,000 from foreign countries. The Festival in Ekaterinburg will become a living embodiment of a centuries–old cultural dialogue," said Grigory Gurov, head of Rosmolodezh.

Earlier, on December 5, as part of the #WEARETOGETHER International Award ceremony of the International Forum of Civil Engagement #WEARETOGETHER, registration for the Festival's volunteer corps was launched. 2,000 volunteers will take part in the event. Registration takes place on the Dobro.rf platform until March 31, 2026: https://dobro.ru/event/11434992

"The approval of the host city brings preparations for the International Festival of Youth 2026 to an active stage. We have a large-scale task ahead of us - to create in the capital of the Urals a modern and comfortable environment for dialogue of 10,000 young leaders from all over the world. Since the signing of the Decree, we start with formation of the Festival infrastructure, a detailed study of logistics, settlement schemes for participants and other organizational issues. At the beginning of next year, we will officially announce the start of registration for the Festival. We invite the active youth of Russia and foreign countries to participate in this grand event and shape the future based on joint creation and mutual respect. The future where everyone's voice is heard!" said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

The World Youth Festival was held in Sirius in 2024 and brought together 20,000 young people from 190 countries. The Festival brought to the formation of a young leaders community of united by the ideas of preserving traditional values and historical memory, respect for the memory of ancestors, sovereign equality of peoples and building a multipolar world order. In order to preserve and develop the Festival’s legacy, expand the formed community of young leaders, strengthen positive, creative ties between the youth of the world and support youth initiatives, the President of Russia instructed to hold festival events annually. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. A smaller event, the International Festival of Youth for 10,000 participants, will be held in 2026. In between these events, World Youth Festival Assemblies for the 2,000-participant will be held annually. The first WYF Assembly was held from 17 to 21 September in Nizhny Novgorod. Young people from 120 countries of the world took part in the event.

Overview:

The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.

In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, which took place on the Sirius Federal Territory in 2024 and united 20,000 young people from 190 countries of the world, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. In 2026, there will be a smaller event, an International Youth Festival with 10,000 participants. In between, the World Youth Festival’s themed Assemblies will be held annually for 2,000 participants.

The first World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod from September 17 to 21, 2025 and brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries.

The World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.