Youth Festival in Russia to Host 500 Global Media Representatives

By: Dawda Baldeh

Nearly 500 journalists, bloggers and media professionals from around the world are expected to attend the International Youth Festival (IYF-2026), organisers have announced.

The week-long event will take place in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg from 11 to 17 September, according to Russia’s Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Rosmolodezh.

Accreditation for both Russian and international media opened on 5 May and will remain available until 17 July.

Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, said an international media centre would be established to support coverage of the event.

“At least 500 media representatives from around the world are expected at the festival,” he said.

Organisers say journalists will be provided with dedicated workspaces, rest areas, daily briefing zones and studios for conducting interviews.

Accredited media workers will also receive transport access within Yekaterinburg and meals at the festival venue.

Mr Ivanov said there had already been “high interest” from both domestic and international media organisations.

“It’s important for us not just to invite the media community, but to create the most comfortable and professional working conditions at the festival venue,” he said.

“All accredited participants will get expanded access to key events, the opportunity to engage with leading speakers, and direct interaction with participants from different countries.”

The International Youth Festival is expected to bring together around 10,000 young leaders, including 5,000 participants from Russia and 5,000 from other countries.

The programme will also include 1,000 teenagers aged between 14 and 17, evenly split between Russian and foreign participants. A volunteer corps of around 2,000 people will assist with the event.

The festival will be held under the slogan, “Follow your dream. With Russia.”