What is WRTC 2026 and How Can You Get Involved?

Often described as the Olympics of Amateur Radio, WRTC is one of the most prestigious events in the amateur radio calendar. Because it is being held in the UK, it is a rare opportunity that many UK radio amateurs may only experience once.

Around 50 of the world's best contesting teams, comprising 100 operators, have qualified following an extensive period of international competition. They will compete on a level playing field using identical stations, antennas, power levels and operating conditions during the 24-hour IARU HF World Championship.

You do not need to travel to the event headquarters or be an experienced contester to enjoy WRTC. You can listen to the stations, make contacts, follow the live leaderboard and watch the official coverage from your own home.

What to Expect

The World's Best Operators

Competitors from around the globe have travelled to the UK to represent their qualification regions.

Every competing team has:

• Two operators
• An independent referee
• An identical station
• The same antenna arrangement
• The same power limit
• Comparable operating conditions

By removing the advantages that can come from using more expensive equipment, larger antennas or a more favourable location, WRTC becomes a true test of operating skill, teamwork, accuracy and strategy.

50 Portable Competition Stations

The 50 competition stations are temporary field installations located across East Anglia, with sites in areas including Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

Each station has been carefully prepared to provide comparable operating conditions. The sites include temporary towers, beam antennas, wire antennas, radios, computers and independent power arrangements, creating the atmosphere of a large-scale international Field Day.

Follow the Contest Live

One of the biggest developments for WRTC 2026 is the spectator experience. The organisers have made it much easier for radio amateurs around the world to follow the competition from home.

During the event, you can expect:

• Live video coverage
• Sports-style commentary
• Real-time rankings
• Live scoring information
• Interactive maps and station statistics
• Special WRTC callsigns
• Interviews and behind-the-scenes reports

Listen to the WRTC Stations

You do not need to be a regular contester to enjoy listening to WRTC. Simply switch on your HF radio and tune around the contest bands.

Activity will take place on:

You will hear some of the world's best operators making contacts at remarkable speed. It is a great opportunity to listen to their timing, accuracy, pile-up management and efficient operating techniques.

From your own station, you can:

• Hunt the special WRTC callsigns
• Work as many competition stations as possible
• Listen to world-class CW and SSB operating
• Follow stations on a DX Cluster
• Use the Reverse Beacon Network to follow CW activity
• Compare activity on different bands
• Watch propagation change throughout the 24 hours

Take Part in the WRTC Chaser Awards

The WRTC 2026 Competition Awards give radio amateurs around the world an additional reason to get on the air and work the competing stations.

The award period runs from:

Valid contacts must be made with official WRTC competition stations during the IARU HF World Championship. The required exchange includes your signal report and ITU zone.

You can work the same WRTC station on different bands and modes, giving operators with modest stations plenty of opportunities to build their total.

View the WRTC Award Details

How to Get Involved from Home

Even if you are not attending WRTC and have never entered a radio contest before, there are plenty of ways to become part of the event.

1. Watch the official livestream.
   Follow the expert commentary, interviews and live analysis on the WRTC 2026 YouTube channel.
2. Keep the live scoreboard open.
   Watch the teams move up and down the rankings as conditions and strategies change.
3. Switch on your HF radio.
   Tune across the contest bands and listen for the special WRTC callsigns.
4. Make some contacts.
   You do not have to submit a competitive entry. Simply answer a WRTC station, exchange the required information and enjoy the experience.
5. Challenge yourself.
   See how many WRTC stations, bands and modes you can work during the 24-hour period.
6. Follow propagation.
   Compare signals across Europe, North America, Asia and other parts of the world as the bands change.

A Great Opportunity for Newcomers

Even if you have never entered a contest before, WRTC is an excellent introduction to HF contesting.

By listening and following the event, you can learn about:

• HF operating techniques
• Efficient on-air communication
• How contest exchanges work
• Band selection and propagation
• Multiplier and scoring strategies
• Teamwork under pressure
• The international amateur radio community at its best

You do not need a large antenna, an expensive radio or years of contesting experience. Whether you make one contact, work dozens of WRTC stations or simply listen for an hour, you can still enjoy one of the most important amateur radio events of 2026.

Useful WRTC 2026 Links

WRTC 2026 is a rare opportunity to see amateur radio operating at its highest level. Switch on your radio, tune across the bands, follow the live coverage and enjoy being part of the action.

You do not have to be competing to experience WRTC 2026 – just getting on the air makes you part of it.