On 4 October 2026, TAFISA World Walking Day – 24 Hours Around the Globe brought together 317,464 participants across 82 countries and territories, celebrating movement in all its forms and standing up for causes close to their hearts.
From walking and running to cycling, swimming, paddling and rolling, people of all ages and abilities joined the global relay, setting off at 10:00 local time and symbolically passing the baton from one time zone to the next.
Held under the patronage of UNESCO, World Walking Day 2026 was another reminder of the power of physical activity to connect people, bring communities together and inspire action around the world.
World Walking Day 2026 in Numbers
- 317,464 participants worldwide
- 309 registrations from individuals and organisations
- 153 organisations, including TAFISA members and national Olympic committees to schools, clubs and city councils
- 82 countries and territories represented
Every Move Had a Cause
Every participant chose a cause to carry with their baton, and the answers were as inspiring as they were varied. Health and well-being led the way, followed closely by more opportunities for play and physical activity, mental health awareness, and peace and solidarity. Many more moved for gender equity, environmental protection, traditional sports and the inclusion of people with disabilities – proof that every movement can stand for something bigger.
For Everyone, Everywhere
Despite its name, World Walking Day – 24 Hours Around the Globe is much more than walking. It's a celebration of movement in all its forms, open to everyone, regardless of age, background or ability. Whether walking, running, cycling, swimming, paddling or rolling, individually or alongside thousands of others, every way of moving counts!
And that's exactly what we saw this year. From schoolchildren and seniors to Special Olympics athletes and Nordic walkers, families, sport clubs and entire communities, people around the world found their own ways to take part.
Every year, we are so excited to see what actually comes out of it and how the day comes to life. Whether it's an individual sending us a picture or a short video of their walk, or an organisation sharing photos of hundreds of people on the move, every single story makes our day. Each one shows people getting active and becoming part of TAFISA's mission of creating a better world through Sport for All.
Where the baton travelled
The global relay connected participants across 82 countries and territories, spanning every region of the world:
Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Botswana, the British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Eswatini, Fiji, France, Gabon, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Macau,China, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Thank You for Keeping the Baton Moving!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined TAFISA World Walking Day 2026 – 24 Hours Around the Globe! To every individual who stepped outside to get moving, every organisation that brought people together, and every TAFISA member, partner and support who helped spread the word – thank you for making this year's global relay possible!
A special thank you goes to this year's pacesetters: Happy Sport China Group, Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, Botswana National Sports Commission and the International Dance Organization. Our pacesetters helped us activate communities, spread the campaign and keep the global relay moving.
And if you have more photos, videos or stories to share, we'd still love to see them! Keep the spirit alive with #WorldWalkingDay.
The baton is already eager for its next journey and it's waiting for you too. Join us on 3 October 2027 for World Walking Day 2027!
