Albuquerque to host USA Judo Senior National Championships in 2026

Colorado Springs, CO) – USA Judo is pleased to announce the 2026 Senior National Championships will be held in Albuquerque, N.M., May 9-10.

The shiai competition will be held on Saturday, May 9, with the Kata Nationals on Sunday, May 10. The tournament is expected to draw more than 600 participants.

“USA Judo is excited to bring our members to Albuquerque for the Senior National Championships,” said USA Judo CEO Corinne Shigemoto. “The area is known for its first-rate hospitality, terrific climate, one-of-a-kind scenery, and unique culture and cuisine.”   

The competition will take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center, located in the heart of downtown, where visitors can explore art galleries, museum exhibitions, sporting events, eateries, fine dining, live music and cultural performances.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the USA Judo Senior National Championships to Albuquerque in 2026,” said Angela Gandy, Director of Sports Development for the Albuquerque Sports Commission. “Athletics are a vibrant part of our community, and we take great pride in supporting athletes and organizations that bring the spirit of competition and excellence to our city. Hosting events of this caliber gives us the opportunity to showcase Albuquerque’s facilities, warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage that make our city unlike any other.”

Set against the stunning Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque is a premier sports destination offering more than 310 days of sunshine each year and venues to host events of every scale. Home to the 600,000-square-foot Albuquerque Convention Center and more than 17,000 hotel rooms, the city combines convenience with signature Southwestern hospitality. Situated at an elevation of over 5,000 feet, Albuquerque offers a high-altitude advantage and a mild, four-season climate, making it an ideal destination for year-round training and competition.

“Hosting the USA Judo Senior National Championships reinforces Albuquerque’s reputation as a top-tier sports destination,” said Visit Albuquerque President & CEO Tania Armenta. “We’re honored to partner with USA Judo and look forward to showcasing our city’s unique blend of culture, cuisine and competition.”

Albuquerque has been named a top city for recreation by WalletHub and has hosted a variety of prestigious sporting events and organizations, including USA Track & Field, USA Cycling, USA Boxing, USA Archery, USA Gymnastics, and USA Weightlifting.

Additional details regarding hotels, registration and tickets will be shared in the coming months on the USA Judo website and social media channels.

About Visit Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Sports Commission
Visit Albuquerque is an accredited destination marketing organization (DMO), and a private, not-for-profit organization [501(c)(6)]. The mission of Visit Albuquerque is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a convention and visitor destination, as well as a premier sports destination through the efforts of the Albuquerque Sports Commission (a division of Visit Albuquerque). For more information, go to www.VisitABQ.org.