Jehovah's Witnesses congress draws 125,000 to nine Polish cities, Warsaw hosts international gathering
Over 125,000 Jehovah's Witnesses gather across nine Polish cities for a three-day congress under the theme 'Happiness Without End', with Warsaw hosting an international edition drawing 33,000 attendees and 7,000 delegates from more than 20 countries.
International gathering in Warsaw
The Warsaw congress, held at Stadion Miejski Legii Warszawa and COS Torwar hall from 3 to 5 July, is one of 19 international congresses planned worldwide for 2026. It drew 33,000 participants, including nearly 7,000 delegates from over 20 countries. Organisers booked around 31,000 hotel nights across 60 hotels, and more than 8,000 volunteers helped run the event. A section of Łazienkowska street was closed to traffic until Sunday evening.
Each host city becomes for a few days a place of joyful and uplifting meetings of thousands of people representing different cultures, languages and countries. We are glad that thanks to the openness of city authorities, local entrepreneurs and residents, in 2026 Warsaw found itself in this exceptional group.
Regional congresses and baptisms
Simultaneous regional gatherings took place in Wrocław, Chorzów, Tricity, Szczecin, Poznań, Lublin, Olsztyn and Koszalin. At Stadion Śląski in Chorzów, about 30,000 worshippers from Silesian, Lesser Poland, Świętokrzyskie and Opole voivodeships attended. On Saturday afternoon, 182 new members were baptised by full immersion in two pools set up on the stadium running track.
The congress theme is 'Happiness Without End' and refers to the feeling every person desires to experience. The programme contains timeless and valuable advice from the Bible, which speaks about happiness many times.
Programme and economic impact
The three-day programme features talks, interviews and video materials, including episodes of the series 'Good News According to Jesus'. Sunday's agenda focuses on practical tips for maintaining hope and happiness despite modern challenges. Admission is free and open to the public.
Our guests come to Poland not only for the congress programme. Many of them stay longer, visiting museums, restaurants, monuments and tourist attractions. This makes the International Congress not only an important social event, but also a significant impulse felt in many sectors of the local economy.
- Congress begins in nine Polish cities; Warsaw international congress opens with 33,000 attendees.
- Baptisms of new members take place; 182 baptised in Chorzów.
- Final day focuses on practical happiness tips; congress concludes.
Jehovah's Witnesses in Poland and worldwide
Jehovah's Witnesses have been present in Poland since 1891. According to the 2021 census, over 100,000 people declared affiliation, and current membership exceeds 114,000, making it the third-largest religious group in the country after the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Globally, more than 9 million members belong to over 118,000 congregations across 239 countries. Last year, nearly 13 million people attended Jehovah's Witnesses congresses worldwide.
