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Following the tropical landscapes of Bali and the sun-soaked waterfront of Florida, the Danish capital presents a new set of challenges as the championship enters its next crucial phase.
Set against the striking backdrop of the Copenhagen Opera House, where athletes dive from platforms mounted on its dramatic cantilevered roof, 27 m and 21 m above the water, the Danish capital provides one of the most distinctive urban stages in the sport. The event returns to the venue for the sixth time since 2013, beginning a crucial European stretch that will also take the series to Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy later this season.
Two competitions into the year, both championship races remain wide open. The depth of talent across both fields and setting up what promises to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
On the women’s side, American Kaylea Arnett arrives in Copenhagen riding the momentum of a breakthrough victory in Florida. Her triumph made her the first American woman to win a World Series event since Cesilie Carlton in 2017 and marked the first stop victory by an athlete other than Rhiannan Iffland or Molly Carlson since 2018.
That result has added a fresh dynamic to the women’s competition, with reigning champion Iffland now facing challenges from multiple directions as the 34-year-old Australian continues her pursuit of a tenth consecutive King Kahekili Trophy. Canada’s Carlson remains firmly in contention, while Copenhagen also welcomes the return of four athletes who competed when the Danish capital made its women’s World Series debut in 2022: Iffland, Carlson, Xantheia Pennisi (AUS) and Meili Carpenter (USA).
Adding further local interest is Danish wildcard Annika Bornebusch, who will make her first World Series appearance in front of a home crowd.
The men’s competition has been equally unpredictable. James Lichtenstein followed his historic home victory in Boston last season by successfully defending another win on American soil in Florida, further establishing himself among the leading contenders in the race for the King Kahekili Trophy.
Meanwhile, Constantin Popovici rebounded from a disappointing opening round in Bali to return to the podium in Florida, reminding the field why he remains one of the most formidable athletes in the sport. The Romanian returns to Copenhagen having won there on the World Series’ previous visit in 2022.
The Danish stop will also mark the World Series debut of Canadian diver Michael Foisy, following a series of promising performances on the international stage.
A deep men’s field returns to Copenhagen, including several athletes with previous experience at the venue, among them Popovici, Catalin Preda (ROU), current World Series leader Aidan Heslop (GBR), Gary Hunt (FRA), Jonathan Paredes (MEX), Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR), Nikita Fedotov (ARM), Carlos Gimeno (ESP) and Sergio Guzman (MEX).
The Danish capital has produced memorable moments throughout its World Series history. Gary Hunt claimed three victories here during his championship-winning career, while Popovici took top honours during the most recent visit. Copenhagen is also familiar territory for Iffland, who won the inaugural women’s event here in 2022.
Beyond the sporting challenge, Copenhagen presents a very different test from the season’s opening stops. After the tropical heat of Indonesia and the warm conditions in Florida, the series now moves to the colder waters of Europe, demanding another level of adaptability and resilience from the world’s best divers.
With new winners emerging, former champions finding form, and the title races still taking shape, Copenhagen promises another pivotal chapter in a season already defined by unpredictability.
Wildcards in Copenhagen (women, men): Annika Bornebusch (DEN), Meili Carpenter (USA), Stella Forsyth (AUS), Paula Gilabert (ESP); Nikita Fedotov (ARM), Michael Foisy (CAN), Sergio Guzman (MEX), Aidan Heslop (GBR), Yolotl Martinez (MEX).
Standings (after 2 of 6 events)
WOMEN
1- Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 37pts.
2- Kaylea Arnett USA – 25
3- Molly Carlson CAN – 25
4- Lisa Faulkner USA – 20
5- Simone Leathead CAN – 20
MEN
1- Aidan Heslop (W) GBR – 36pts.
2- James Lichtenstein USA – 34
3- Jonathan Paredes MEX – 22
4- Catalin Preda ROU – 18
5- Constantin Popovici ROU – 15
Click here for more details on the 2026 permanent athletes.
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is the premier global competition in the sport, featuring 24 elite athletes – 12 women and 12 men – who dive from heights of 21 and 27 metres at speeds exceeding 85 km/h. Now in its 17th season, the multi-day series visits iconic natural and urban locations worldwide. In 2026, it will stop in Indonesia, the USA, Denmark, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy and Oman between May and November. Since 2009, almost 120 athletes from more than 25 nationalities have competed for the prestigious King Kahekili Trophy, combining extreme sports with precision and global storytelling.
