This September, the Azul Freediving Challenge returns with its most ambitious edition ever. To celebrate 10 years of competition, community and depth in the cenotes of Mexico, the traditional Spring edition was exceptionally cancelled in favor of one extended Fall event — bringing together athletes, workshops, official trainings, conferences, competitions and a brand-new anniversary raffle designed for the whole freediving community.
For the first time in its history, the Azul Freediving Challenge will not simply be a three-day competition surrounded by two workshops and some training sessions. This September 2026 edition has been designed as a much larger and more complete event, expanding into nearly two full weeks of activities in and out of the water.
Over the last decade, the competition has grown into one of the most unique events in the international freediving scene. Hosted in the deep cenotes of the Riviera Maya, the event has welcomed more than 500 athletes from over 45 countries across 16 editions, with more than 110 national records validated over the years.
Throughout those ten years, the competition has brought together a very diverse community of divers. Some participants discovered competition for the first time here, while others arrived as experienced athletes already competing internationally. Over time, several freedivers who started at the Azul Freediving Challenge have gone on to build strong careers on the international scene.
The event has also always maintained a very particular atmosphere. With athletes ranging from their early twenties to divers in their sixties, the competition has become known for combining performance, accessibility, safety and community in a way that feels very different from many large-scale depth events.
A Unique Competition Environment
One of the defining characteristics of the Azul Freediving Challenge is its cenote environment. The competition takes place in a deep freshwater sinkhole in the Yucatán Peninsula, with a maximum depth of around 87 meters. This creates very specific competition conditions and a format that remains accessible to both experienced competitors and first-time athletes.
Alongside the main competition, the event also hosts the famous 70M Challenge, a special format unique to the Azul Freediving Challenge. In this challenge, athletes must dive to 70 meters and return to the surface within the exact time they announced beforehand, down to the second. More than pure depth performance, it rewards precision, control and consistency, and has become one of the most recognizable elements of the event over the years.
A Full Freediving Festival Around the Competition
For this special anniversary edition, the event expands far beyond competition days. Over two weeks, participants will be able to join a wide variety of activities designed for athletes of different levels and interests.
The program includes:
- Open cenote training sessions
- Official competition trainings
- First-timer competition workshops
- Deep equalization workshops
- AIDA safety education
- CNF and No Limit workshops
- Static apnea competition
- Conferences and community talks
- Sponsor presentations and evening events
Several respected names from the freediving world will also be part of the event, including Pablo Barrera and Mexican national record holder Pedro Tapia.
The idea behind this extended format is to create something that feels larger than a traditional competition week — a complete gathering for the international freediving community where athletes, instructors, organizers, sponsors and passionate divers can all connect in the same space.
More Visibility for Sponsors and Community Partners
The 2026 anniversary edition also places a stronger emphasis on sponsor visibility and community interaction. Dedicated presentation spaces, conferences and evening gatherings at the Pranamaya Freediving House will give partners the opportunity to connect directly with athletes and attendees in a more authentic and engaging environment.
Over the years, the event has built an international audience of passionate freedivers, travelers and ocean lovers, making the Azul Freediving Challenge not only a competition platform, but also a strong community event within the sport.
Discover the Full Program
From training sessions and workshops to official competitions and evening conferences, this anniversary edition has been designed as a complete freediving experience in the heart of the Riviera Maya.
The Anniversary Raffle: A New Way to Celebrate
One of the biggest additions to this special edition is the new Anniversary Raffle, created specifically for the competition’s 10-year celebration.
Rather than distributing prizes only through final rankings, this year’s format introduces a raffle system designed to involve the entire community. Athletes will earn raffle tickets based on their performances during the event, meaning stronger performances increase the chances of winning.
At the same time, additional tickets will also be available for purchase throughout the event and online, allowing friends, families, sponsors and the wider freediving community to participate as well.
The raffle will feature a wide variety of freediving-related prizes, equipment and gifts provided by sponsors and partners. The final draw will take place during the closing celebration on September 27, creating a more collective and festive atmosphere around the event.
More than a traditional prize system, the raffle reflects the spirit of this anniversary edition: combining performance, participation and community into a shared experience.
A Decade of Freediving in the Cenotes of Mexico
Ten years ago, the Azul Freediving Challenge started as a small competition project in the cenotes of Mexico. Since then, it has evolved into an internationally recognized event where athletes come not only to compete, but also to train, learn, meet other divers and experience the unique atmosphere of the Riviera Maya freediving community.
This September, the event celebrates that journey with its biggest and most complete edition yet.
Ready for the Anniversary Edition?
Training sessions, workshops, official competitions, conferences, sponsor presentations, community events and the special anniversary raffle — the Azul Freediving Challenge Fall 2026 is set to become the largest edition in the history of the event.
