Accreditation for Russian and international media representatives and content creators for the International Festival of Youth is open from May 5 to July 17.
The Festival will take place from September 11 to 17, 2026, in Ekaterinburg as part of the national project "Youth and Children." Applications can be submitted via the World Youth Festival Directorate International Platform of Opportunities at the link provided.
The accreditation procedure consists of two stages. In the first stage, media representatives and content creators must register on the International Platform of Opportunities, after that they can submit an application for accreditation to work at the Festival venue via the link.
Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, noted that the International Media Center will be set up at the IFY–2026 venue. As part of the Media Center, journalists will have access to workstations, rest areas, zones for press approaches and press conferences (which will be held daily), as well as special studios for recording interviews. Media representatives will also be provided with transfer services within Ekaterinburg and catering at the Festival venue.
"We see a strong interest in the International Festival of Youth from both Russian and international media representatives and content creators. For us, it is important not only to invite the media community but also to create the most comfortable and inviting working conditions at the Festival venue. All accredited participants will have a greater access to key events, the opportunity to work with leading speakers, and direct interaction with participants from different countries. The Media Center will serve as a fully functional workspace, where journalists will be supported by media volunteers. We are open to cooperation and invite media representatives and content creators from around the world to join us in covering one of the main international youth events of 2026,” - said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
Also, Dmitry Ivanov added that the Festival is expected to host at least 500 media representatives from around the world. International guests will be provided with transfer services to Ekaterinburg and accommodation in city hotels.
The International Festival of Youth will become part of the "family" of events held under the World Youth Festival, which dates back to the Festival on the “Sirius” Federal Territory in 2024. The WYF‑2024 created a community of proactive young leaders united by the ideas of equality among nations and peoples and the construction of a shared future — a multipolar world based on cooperation and a balance of interests. In order to preserve and build on the legacy of the WYF‑2024, international youth events are held annually on the territory of Russia by instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, the World Youth Festival Assembly took place in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries
This year, the International Festival of Youth will bring together 10,000 young leaders: 5,000 from Russia and 5,000 from foreign countries. The Decree on Holding the International Festival of Youth was signed by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on December 29, 2025. The delegations will include young people from around the world who have already achieved results in the fields of creative industries, public administration, science and education, sports, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, and civic participation. Traditionally, the Festival will also involve 1,000 children aged 14 to 17: 500 from Russia and 500 from foreign countries. The Volunteer Corps of 2,000 people will assist in organizing the Festival and supporting participants and guests.
The Festival will be held under the motto: "Follow Your Dream. Together with Russia." It will serve as a space for open international dialogue and finding like-minded people, as well as allowing young leaders from different countries to get to know the real Russia – a country of limitless opportunities where everyone can find their vocation and turn their dreams into reality.
The organizers of the International Festival of Youth 2026 are the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region. The operator of the event is the World Youth Festival Directorate.
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 at the “Sirius” Federal Territory, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually.
The World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod in 2025 and brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will gather 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030.
The World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation and developing a community of young people who care about the future of the world.