The stage is set for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

Tonight, Shanghai will officially become the global stage for skills. Inside the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), tools are set out at workstations, the Expo halls are ready for visitors, and the Conference venue is waiting to welcome the skills community.

WorldSkills Members, Global Partners, Experts, friends, and relatives have arrived to cheer on 1,400 of the world’s most skilled young people at tonight’s Opening Ceremony at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center.

The Opening Ceremony will start with the Parade of Nations, led by the WorldSkills Champions Trust. More than 65 competing countries and regions will walk through the venue, showing the scale of the WorldSkills movement.

Some of China’s highest-level dignitaries will be in attendance, alongside more than 50 Ministers from around the world. The celebrations will include a spectacular sound and light show as well as exciting performances, featuring many WorldSkills Champions. After an official address to the assembled guests, the 48th WorldSkills Competition will be officially underway.

For 400,000 visitors to the NECC, here is what to expect over the next four days:

• Wednesday, 23 September: The Competitors get underway and begin four days of rigorous tests and assessments. WorldSkills Conference 2026 also begins with a series of plenaries and panels.
• Thursday, 24 September: It’s day two of WorldSkills Conference 2026 where delegates can trade best practices at the Skills CoLab. On the Competition floor, visitors can try activities at WorldSkills Expo and at the Try-a-Skill booths.
• Friday, 25 September: On day three, the Conference will draw to a close with a series of field trips to industry before a reception at the WorldSkills Museum. Young students visiting the Competition will see the Competitors hard at work on their test projects.
• Saturday, 26 September: Do not miss the countdowns in the skill competition workshops on the final day, when the excitement of the Competition reaches its climax.
• Sunday, 27 September: The hard work and dedication of the Champions will be recognized at the stunning Closing Ceremony at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center, where medals will be awarded and crowds will enjoy a wonderful finale to a memorable week. In a final symbolic moment, the WorldSkills flag will be handed over to WorldSkills Japan as it prepares to host WorldSkills Aichi 2028.

Throughout the week, visitors can go to the incredible WorldSkills Museum, the only exhibition in the world dedicated entirely to skills. Organizers have made it simple to visit, with extended visiting hours and shuttle buses running from the NECC every day.

And for anyone with time to spare, Shanghai’s “Come for Skills, Stay for Shanghai” programme offers 12 official themed tours, from half a day up to three days, with several routes weaving in a visit to the WorldSkills Museum. Tours are available from 22 to 30 September and can be booked directly through the official portal.

The world’s largest celebration of skilled talent is now officially in full swing. Follow along on the WorldSkills social channels and see what’s on at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.