This fall, October 20–24, 2026, Unibet Arena will host the first-ever The Clash: European Combat Sports Festival 2026—a five-day international event bringing together athletes, coaches, and fans from more than 12 countries.
This isn’t just a tournament—it’s five days filled with sports, learning, and excitement that will bring people from all over Europe together. “We’re not just organizing an event—we’re creating a platform where sports, health, education, and community come together,” said chief organizer Karl Loonurm.
More Than Just a Competition: Knowledge That Lasts Beyond the Festival
In addition to competition, development and learning are central to The Clash festival. Free educational sessions are open to all participants, covering topics such as nutrition, recovery, mental health, as well as training and building an athlete’s personal brand. In addition, the sessions address the development of coaches and referees, as well as funding opportunities, including the Erasmus+ program.
“The most important thing is that the knowledge doesn’t end with the festival—it stays with you long after it’s over,” said Loonurm.
Participants will receive a Europass certificate, which means they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in other countries as well. All materials will remain available to participants after the festival on the digital platform Theclash.ee.
The energy that began in Pärnu is reaching a European level
The story of The Clash began in Pärnu, where the first four fight nights took place, and interest has been high—the venues were sold out, and the audience was on the edge of their seats every second. “What happened at the Pärnu Sports Hall was incredible—we sold more tickets than the venue could hold,” Loonurm recalls of one of the past events.
According to him, The Clash has always been more than just a sporting event. “It’s an evening where the audience is part of every punch, every second, and every emotion,” he said. That very experience is now taking on a larger scale, and Tallinn is becoming a central European meeting place.
Four disciplines, three levels—a system that gives every athlete a chance
The festival brings together various combat sports under one roof: amateurs and enthusiasts alike can compete at a professional level.
“The entire system is designed so that every athlete—regardless of their level — can take the next step in their career,” explains Loonurm, adding that the program is structured so that every day offers both athletic excitement and the opportunity to learn and grow.
There are three ways to participate in the festival: as teams and coaches, for whom registration is already open; as competitors in K-1, Muay Thai, MMA, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu; and as sponsored athletes through the Erasmus+ program. Spectators are, of course, also welcome, and the Unibet Arena can accommodate a large crowd, with seating for approximately 7,000.
An Opportunity for Those Who Otherwise Wouldn’t Be Able to Attend
One of the festival’s goals is to make this international experience accessible to as many people as possible. Specifically, the “Sponsored Athlete Program” offers athletes with fewer opportunities the chance to receive travel or accommodation support. This opens the door to participation in both the competitions and the educational program, regardless of financial background.
All The Clash competitions will also be broadcast via professional live streams, making the event viewable around the world. Links to the live streams will be published on the festival’s website, Theclash.ee, and on social media channels before the festival, so that both participants and fans can take part in the event regardless of their location.
Just the Beginning: The Goal Is to Become a Central European Hub
“This is just the beginning—our goal is to grow The Clash into a central hub for combat sports in Europe,” says Loonurm.
Tallinn is easy to reach—by plane to Tallinn Airport, by ferry from Helsinki and Stockholm, and by bus from other Baltic cities, such as with Lux Express or FlixBus. “We want this festival to be accessible to both athletes and audiences across Europe,” says Loonurm.
At the same time, The Clash is actively seeking partners—clubs, associations, and federations across Europe—to join the consortium and bring their athletes to this rapidly growing platform.
The Clash 2026 isn’t just an event on the calendar—it’s a place where sports, knowledge, and people come together. And this October, something will take place in Tallinn that could truly change the future of combat sports.
- The festival is organized by a consortium of combat sports organizations from across Europe, and the project is coordinated by the nonprofit organization The Clash Baltic in collaboration with its partners.
- The Clash 5 fight night will take place at Unibet Arena on the festival’s final day, October 24, starting at 6 p.m. Delfi Sport will provide live coverage of the event. Tickets will be sold at the venue by Piletitasku.