For the first time in history, Kansas will host a USA Judo national championship event, and it’s coming to the state’s largest city – Wichita, which was recently named the Best Sports-Event Host City in the 2025 SportsTravel Awards, presented by SportsTravel magazine.
Visit Wichita announced today that it has successfully secured the 2026 USA Judo Youth Nationals at Century II Convention Center in Bob Brown Expo Hall. Competition will take place March 14–15, 2026, with weigh-ins on March 13.
“We're thrilled to be partnering with Visit Wichita to bring a national championship to Kansas for the first time in our organization’s history,” says Corinne Shigemoto, USA Judo’s CEO. “Wichita is fast becoming one of the country's premier destinations for sporting events, and we're looking forward to welcoming young judoka from around the country, as well as their friends and family, for what promises to be an incredible weekend, on and off the mat.”
The event marks another major milestone for Wichita and reinforces its growing reputation as a premier destination for national and international sporting events. “Winning the bid to host the 2026 USA Judo Youth Nationals is a tremendous achievement for Wichita and for the state of Kansas and a testament to Wichita’s growing recognition as a premier host for national sporting events,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “It’s the first time USA Judo has ever brought a national championship to Kansas — and we’re honored that they chose Wichita. This win reflects the trust national sports organizations have in our city’s ability to deliver first-class sporting experiences.”
The event is expected to generate nearly half a million dollars in direct estimated economic impact. The competition will draw hundreds of athletes, coaches and families to the city, filling local hotels and restaurants, and contributing to the region’s growing tourism economy.
This latest sports tourism win continues Visit Wichita’s streak of bringing national “firsts” to Kansas. Others include:
- In January 2025, Wichita hosted the Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, marking the first time the prestigious event had ever been held in the state.
- Wichita will also become the first city in the nation to host the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup for three consecutive years (2026–2028) — another major first for both Kansas and the country.
- Additionally, Visit Wichita brought USA Lacrosse’s Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) national championship to Kansas for the first time in 2024.
“There is tremendous momentum when it comes to hosting sporting events in Wichita,” Howell said. “From the ice to the mats to the soccer and lacrosse fields, we’re proving that Wichita can compete with – and win against – much larger markets. Every event we bring to Kansas fuels local pride, supports our economy, and helps showcase Wichita as a top-tier sports city.”
The 2026 USA Judo Youth Nationals will bring 500-plus young athletes from across the country to compete for national titles. Weigh-ins and meetings are scheduled for Friday, March 13, followed by two full days of competition on March 14–15. The Bob Brown Expo Hall will serve as the primary venue, with additional meeting and operations spaces within Century II supporting the event.
Tournament host hotel details, participant registration information and other tournament details will be released in the coming weeks.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2024 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
About USA Judo
A 501-c-3 non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs, USA Judo is the National Governing Body for the sport of judo in the United States. USA Judo serves more than 13,000 members annually, including athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters. A proud member organization of the International Judo Federation, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the International Blind Sports Association, USA Judo’s mission is to enable all U.S. athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in domestic and international judo competition, and the promotion and growth of the sport of judo in the United States.
