WorldSkills has announced that WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 will take place in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September. The event will set the framework for the 48th WorldSkills Competition and its 64 skill competitions, including Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Skill 38). It will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai under the theme “New Era, New Skills, New Dream”.
WorldSkills said the event is set to include WorldSkills Expo and WorldSkills Conference 2026. Version 11.0 of the Competition Rules will apply to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. According to the organization, the update reflects lessons from recent events and changes linked to the Competitions of the Future strategic project and decisions adopted at General Assembly 2023.
The revised framework introduces five principles for the continuity, exclusion, or addition of a skill competition: labour market representation, occupational validity, distinctiveness, cross-regional relevance, and authenticity. Competition environments are required to reflect real-world industry conditions while maintaining competition quality.
During Competition Preparation Week in Shanghai in February, more than 400 delegates from over 70 countries and regions worked on infrastructure lists, workshop layouts, workforce needs, Skill Management Plans, Test Project development, and Standards and Assessment Guides across all 64 skill competitions. WorldSkills said the event is set to feature 1,400 competitors from 70 countries and regions.