Organising an FAI ballooning event

FAI Sanctioning ensures and demonstrates high quality organization of major Aeronautical Sporting Events worldwide. These include prestigious competitions like the World Air Games, World Championships, Continental Championships, and other significant events such as the Coupe Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race.

Organizers can obtain an FAI/CIA Sanction for the highest category events, called Category One (CAT1) events, or for simpler national or international events, called CIA Sporting Event (CAT2).

Why sanction your event?

A sanction has a number of advantages. The organiser demonstrates to the ballooning world that the event:

  • will be run fairly using correctly approved rules and regulations,
  • will be run to approved safety standards,
  • will be financially sound and will fulfil its obligations to both competitors and officials.
  • has the appropriately qualified officials, especially the event director, safety officer and jury.

Further benefits include

  • inclusion in the FAI Sporting Calendar,
  • CIA Medals (for CAT1),
  • Certificates for the winning competitors,
  • enhanced event status for negotiations with authorities and sponsors and
  • access to expertise of the Event Development Service of the FAI/CIA.

Read More

Upcoming FAI Ballooning Commission Sporting Events
2024
25th FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship
General World Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Sanction Awarded
2025
68th FAI Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett
Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett
Gas Balloons
CAT 1
Applications Closed
2025
Category 1
CAT 1
Bid Applications Open
2025
23rd FAI European Hot Air Balloon Championship
General Continental Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Sanction Awarded
2025
6th Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championship
Women World Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
No Sanction
2025
Category 2
CAT 2
Bid Applications Open
2026
26th FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship
General World Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Sanction Awarded
2027
Women World Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Bid Applications Open
2027
General Continental Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Bid Applications Open
2027
Junior World Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Bid Applications Open
2028
General World Championship
Hot Air Balloons
CAT 1
Intentions to Bid Open