Fencing
USA Fencing October North American Cup
USA Fencing
- Oct 9–12, 2026
- Orlando, FL
Who: Division I, Cadet, Y14, Cadet Team, Para
How to qualify: Open to eligible members by age and rating.
Road to Nationals · Calendar
Qualified for nationals? Here's the calendar — and the trip math.
The US youth and amateur national championships for the 2026–27 season: when, where, and how athletes qualify. Making nationals is the best news of the season — and usually the most expensive.
A qualifying result often lands only weeks before the event, and the trip — flights, hotel nights, entry fees, a parent's time off — arrives all at once. Use the calendar to see what's coming in your sport, and the budget calculator below to turn the trip into a number you can share with the people who want to help.
Last checked 2026-10-01 against each organizer's site. "Dates TBA" means the organizer hasn't published them yet — confirm on the official page before booking anything.
October 2026
November 2026
Figure skating
Pacific Coast Sectional Singles Final
U.S. Figure Skating
- Nov 16–21, 2026
- San Jose, CA
Who: Juvenile through Senior
How to qualify: Advance from regionals; top finishers move on toward the U.S. Championships.
Fencing
USA Fencing November North American Cup
USA Fencing
- Nov 20–23, 2026
- Columbus, OH
Who: Division I, Junior, Cadet
How to qualify: Open to eligible members.
December 2026
Cross countryDates TBA
Nike Cross Nationals
Nike
- Typically the first Saturday of December (2026 date not yet confirmed)
- Portland, OR (2025 host)
Who: High school teams and individuals
How to qualify: Top finishers at the eight regional NXR meets.
Cross countryDates TBA
Brooks XC Championships (formerly Foot Locker)
Brooks / Fleet Feet
- Dec 12 or 13, 2026 (sources differ — confirm)
- San Diego, CA
Who: High school, 40–50 per gender
How to qualify: Top 10 at one of four regionals in late November and early December, plus wild cards.
Fencing
USA Fencing Super Junior & Cadet Circuit
USA Fencing
- Dec 4–6, 2026
- Milwaukee, WI
Who: Junior (U20) and Cadet (U17)
How to qualify: Open to eligible members.
Cross country
AAU Cross Country National Championships
AAU
- Dec 5, 2026
- Tallahassee, FL
Who: Youth age groups
How to qualify: Open to AAU members — check AAU entry rules.
Football
Pop Warner Super Bowl & National Cheer and Dance Championships
Pop Warner
- Dec 5–13, 2026
- Charlotte, NC area
Who: Youth football, cheer and dance divisions
How to qualify: Win your regional championship (football) or qualify at a regional competition (cheer and dance).
Swimming
Speedo Winter Junior Championships (East & West)
USA Swimming
- Dec 9–12, 2026
- Indianapolis, IN and Austin, TX
Who: 18 & under
How to qualify: Swim the national qualifying times.
Cross country
USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships
USA Track & Field
- Dec 12, 2026
- Lafayette, LA
Who: Ages 7–18
How to qualify: Top finishers at Association, then Regional Junior Olympic meets.
January 2027
Figure skating
U.S. Figure Skating Championships
U.S. Figure Skating
- Jan 5–10, 2027
- West Valley City, UT
Who: Novice through Senior
How to qualify: Qualify through the Sectional Finals.
Fencing
USA Fencing Junior Olympics
USA Fencing
- Jan 8–11, 2027
- Oklahoma City, OK
Who: Junior, Cadet, Junior Team
How to qualify: Regional Junior Olympic qualifiers or national points.
February 2027
CheerDates TBA
NCA All-Star National Championship
Varsity Spirit / NCA
- Typically late February – early March (2027 dates TBA)
- Houston, TX
Who: All-star club teams
How to qualify: Team registration and bids.
Figure skating
U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships
U.S. Figure Skating
- Feb 22–27, 2027
- Henderson, NV
Who: Juvenile through Senior teams
How to qualify: Place at the Sectional Synchronized Skating Championships.
March 2027
Ice hockey
USA Hockey Youth Tier I National Championships
USA Hockey
- Mar 30 – Apr 4, 2027
- 14U: Plymouth & Novi, MI · 16U: Chicago, IL · 18U: San Jose, CA
Who: 14U, 16U and 18U Tier I
How to qualify: District or affiliate playoffs, and Tier I league berths.
Ice hockey
USA Hockey Youth Tier II 14U National Championship
USA Hockey
- Mar 30 – Apr 4, 2027
- West Chester, PA
Who: 14U Tier II
How to qualify: District or affiliate playoffs.
Ice hockey
USA Hockey Girls Tier II 16U National Championship
USA Hockey
- Mar 31 – Apr 4, 2027
- Cranberry Township, PA
Who: Girls 16U Tier II
How to qualify: District or affiliate playoffs.
April 2027
Swimming
Open Water National & Junior National Championships
USA Swimming
- Apr 2–4, 2027
- Sarasota, FL
Who: Junior (18 & under) and Open
How to qualify: Meet the qualifying standards.
Cheer
Cheerleading & Dance Worlds
USASF / IASF
- Apr 23–26, 2027
- Orlando, FL
Who: Top-level all-star club teams
How to qualify: Earn a bid at a sanctioned event.
May 2027
VolleyballDates TBA
USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship
USA Volleyball
- May 2027 (a USA Volleyball region calendar lists May 7–9 — confirm)
- Minneapolis, MN
Who: Girls 18U clubs
How to qualify: Earn a bid at a national or regional qualifier.
Gymnastics
USA Gymnastics Development Program National Championships
USA Gymnastics
- May 13–16, 2027
- Detroit, MI
Who: Women's Level 10; men's Levels 8–10 and Junior Elite
How to qualify: Qualify through Regionals and the Eastern/Western Championships.
Triathlon
USA Triathlon Youth & Junior Cross National Championships
USA Triathlon
- May 22, 2027
- Pelham, AL
Who: Youth and Junior
How to qualify: Registration.
June 2027
VolleyballDates TBA
USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championship
USA Volleyball
- June 2027 (USA Volleyball notices list both Jun 5–7 and Jun 11–13 — confirm)
- Anaheim, CA
Who: Boys 11U–18U
How to qualify: Earn a bid at a qualifier, or enter an open division.
VolleyballDates TBA
AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships
AAU
- Typically mid-to-late June (2027 dates TBA)
- Orlando, FL
Who: Girls 10U–18U
How to qualify: Bid and open divisions.
WeightliftingDates TBA
USA Weightlifting National Youth Championships
USA Weightlifting
- Late June 2027 (tentative)
- Colorado Springs, CO
Who: Youth (17 & under)
How to qualify: Hit the 2027 qualifying total.
Rowing
USRowing Youth National Championships
USRowing
- Jun 10–13, 2027
- Sarasota, FL
Who: High-school-age youth crews
How to qualify: Place at your regional youth championship.
Volleyball
USA Volleyball Girls 11–13 Junior National Championship
USA Volleyball
- Jun 18–21, 2027
- Chicago, IL
Who: Girls 11U–13U
How to qualify: Bid or open divisions.
Volleyball
USA Volleyball Girls 14–17 Junior National Championship
USA Volleyball
- Jun 27 – Jul 5, 2027
- Las Vegas, NV
Who: Girls 14U–17U
How to qualify: Earn a bid at a national or regional qualifier; American division by registration.
July 2027
ClimbingDates TBA
USA Climbing Youth National Championships
USA Climbing
- Typically late June – early July (2027 dates and host TBA)
- TBA
Who: U13–U21
How to qualify: Advance through Regional, then Divisional championships.
BasketballDates TBA
AAU Boys Basketball World Championships
AAU
- Typically early July (2027 dates TBA)
- Orlando, FL (2026 host)
Who: Boys 7U–19U
How to qualify: Team registration and district qualifiers.
WrestlingDates TBA
USA Wrestling Junior & 16U Nationals ("Fargo")
USA Wrestling
- Typically mid-July (2027 dates TBA)
- Fargo, ND
Who: 16U and Junior (high school)
How to qualify: Open to members; state teams are picked by state associations.
SoccerDates TBA
US Youth Soccer National Championships
US Youth Soccer
- Typically mid-to-late July (2027 dates and host TBA)
- TBA
Who: 13U–19U
How to qualify: Win your state cup, then place at the USYS regional championship.
SoccerDates TBA
ECNL National Playoffs & Finals
ECNL
- Typically mid-July (2027 dates and hosts TBA)
- TBA
Who: U13–U19 ECNL clubs
How to qualify: Conference standings, then playoffs.
Track & fieldDates TBA
USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
USA Track & Field
- Typically late July – early August (2027 dates and host TBA)
- TBA
Who: Ages 7–18
How to qualify: Advance through Association, then Regional Junior Olympic meets.
Fencing
USA Fencing Summer Nationals
USA Fencing
- Jul 2–11, 2027
- Salt Lake City, UT
Who: Youth (Y8) through Veteran
How to qualify: Event-specific qualifying paths (regional and national points).
Golf
IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships
Junior World Golf
- Jul 12–15, 2027
- San Diego, CA area
Who: Age groups 6U through 15–18
How to qualify: Entry and exemption criteria, plus national qualifiers.
Multi-sport
AAU Junior Olympic Games
AAU
- Jul 28 – Aug 7, 2027
- Houston, TX
Who: Youth age groups (vary by sport)
How to qualify: Varies by sport — some require an AAU qualifier, some are open.
Swimming
TYR Futures Championships
USA Swimming
- Jul 28–31, 2027
- Carmel, IN · Cary, NC · Minneapolis, MN · Ocala, FL · Sacramento, CA
Who: Developing national-level swimmers
How to qualify: Swim the Futures time standards.
Triathlon
USA Triathlon Youth & Junior National Championships
USA Triathlon
- Jul 31 – Aug 1, 2027
- West Chester, OH
Who: Youth (7–15) and Junior (16–19)
How to qualify: No qualifying needed for youth age-group races.
August 2027
TennisDates TBA
USTA Boys' 18 & 16 National Championships
USTA
- Typically late July – early August (2027 dates TBA)
- Kalamazoo, MI
Who: Boys 16U and 18U
How to qualify: USTA ranking and sectional quotas.
BaseballDates TBA
Cal Ripken & Babe Ruth World Series
Babe Ruth League
- Typically August (2027 dates TBA)
- Various hosts
Who: Cal Ripken 8–12; Babe Ruth 13–18
How to qualify: Win district, state, then regional.
Softball
Little League Softball World Series
Little League International
- Aug 1–8, 2027
- Greenville, NC
Who: Ages 10–12
How to qualify: Win district, state/sectional, then region.
Baseball
Little League Intermediate, Junior & Senior World Series
Little League International
- Aug 1–15, 2027 (by division)
- Livermore, CA · Easley, SC · Taylor, MI · Kirkland, WA · Lower Sussex, DE
Who: Ages 11–16, baseball and softball
How to qualify: Win district, state, then region.
Swimming
Speedo Junior National Championships
USA Swimming
- Aug 2–6, 2027
- Huntsville, AL
Who: 18 & under
How to qualify: Swim the Junior National time standards.
Baseball
Little League Baseball World Series
Little League International
- Aug 18–29, 2027
- South Williamsport, PA
Who: Ages 10–12
How to qualify: Win district, state, then your US region.
September 2027
Martial arts
USA Taekwondo Season Final & Festival
USA Taekwondo
- Sep 3–5, 2027
- Spokane, WA
Who: Youth through adult
How to qualify: Season ranking and registration.
Nationals trip budget calculator
Plug in the trip. It gives you a total, and what that total looks like spread across your supporters — the number to put on a fund page.
Estimated trip cost
$2,240
That's 30 supporters giving $25/month for 3 months — or 45 one-time gifts of $50. Most athletes reach that many people through grandparents, aunts and uncles, family friends and a coach or two.
Just qualified? Share the trip, not the stress.
Put the trip budget on a free fund page and send it to the family group chat. Supporters can give once or monthly, 100% of every donation reaches your athlete (the small fee is added on top for the supporter), and payouts go straight to your family's bank.
Missing a championship?
We add events as organizers publish dates. If your sport's national championship isn't here, tell us and we'll check it and add it.
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