2026 USA Judo Youth National Championships Headed to Wichita

(Colorado Springs, CO) – USA Judo is pleased to announce that Wichita, Kansas, will host the 2026 Youth National Championships from March 14-15 at the Bob Brown Expo Hall at Century II in downtown Wichita. It will mark the first time USA Judo has held a national championship in the state of Kansas.

The Youth Nationals draws more than 600 of the best athletes from ages 5-20 throughout the nation annually to vie for National Championship gold and the opportunity to represent Team USA in international competition.

“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 announcement reinforces Wichita’s reputation as a thriving destination for sports, recently named the Best Sports-Event Host City in the 2025 SportsTravel Awards, presented by SportsTravel magazine.

“Hosting the 2026 USA Judo Youth Nationals is a proud moment for Wichita and the state of Kansas,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “To bring a USA Judo national championship to our city and state for the first time is a testament to Wichita’s growing recognition as a premier host for national sporting events. We’re ready to welcome athletes, families and fans from across the country.”

The 2026 USA Judo Youth Nationals will feature hundreds of young judo athletes competing for national titles. Weigh-ins and meetings will take place on Friday, March 13, followed by two full days of competition on Saturday and Sunday, March 14–15. The Bob Brown Expo Hall will serve as the primary competition venue, with additional meeting and office spaces within Century II supporting event operations. Visitors will love its convenient location in the heart of the city – with easy access to hundreds of restaurants and a variety of museums, attractions and entertainment.

Known as the Air Capital of the World, Wichita offers an ideal blend of world-class facilities, rich aviation heritage and vibrant city energy. The city’s centrally located venues, award-winning restaurants and dynamic attractions make it a favorite for visiting athletes and fans alike.

“Wichita delivers the perfect mix of big-city amenities and small-town hospitality,” said Howell. “Our passionate and friendly locals, thriving foodie scene and authentic Midwest welcome create an experience that athletes and families remember long after the competition ends. We’re proud to showcase what makes Wichita so special to the USA Judo community.”

Tournament host hotel details, participant registration information and other tournament details will be released in the coming weeks.  

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.

To learn more about Visit Wichita, visit visitwichita.com.