Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) and USA Climbing have officially revealed that the North American Cup Series (NACS) will resume in 2026, running from April to July across both the USA and Canada. This series, which first launched in 2021, aims to provide elite athletes from North America with a competitive environment outside of World Cup events. The upcoming season will feature a total of five events—three in the United States and two in Canada.

The NACS was established to nurture the development of advanced and elite climbers by offering high-caliber competitions that promote growth and collaboration across borders. Christiane Marceau, Executive Director of CEC, underscored the importance of this initiative, stating that the series enables athletes to push their limits, forge connections, and embody the community spirit of climbing.

Marc Norman, President and CEO of USA Climbing, echoed this sentiment. He described NACS as a vital competitive platform where emerging talents and experienced contenders can showcase their skills side by side, ultimately strengthening the sport and highlighting the remarkable talent present across the continent.

The 2025 season was particularly thrilling, featuring intense competitions between American and Canadian athletes. Dillon Countryman and Melina Coztanza from the USA launched the season with a win in a bouldering event in South Carolina, followed by victories in Tennessee’s lead competition where Nathan Sato and Kestrel Pikiewicz topped the podium. The series then moved to Quebec, where Canadian Madison Richardson and American Elijah Finn secured gold in the bouldering event.

In a subsequent event in Colorado, Countryman claimed his second bouldering victory alongside American Courtney Arnold. The series culminated in Alberta, where Canadian Kindar McNamee seized gold in the lead competition, while his brother, Guy, took silver. American Olivia Ma triumphed in the women’s competition. The season finale in Utah saw Natalia Grossman return from knee surgery to take lead gold, while American Sergey Lakhno rounded off the event with a victory in the men’s category. Overall, the NACS continues to elevate competitive climbing across North America, encouraging participation and showcasing immense talent.