2024 Youth National Championships Awarded to Atlanta

(Colorado Springs, CO) – USA Judo is pleased to announce that Atlanta will host the 2024 Youth National Championships from March 23-24 at the Georgia International Convention Center.

The Youth Nationals draws more than 500 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.

Located a quarter-mile away from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Georgia International Convention Center is the second largest convention center in the state and accessible from the airport in just minutes via the free ATL Skytrain.

With more than 200 direct flights on 20+ airlines, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s most traveled airport and will provide easy access for Youth Nationals participants.

“USA Judo is excited to be heading to Atlanta, a city rich in Olympic & Paralympic history, as the host city for the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With one of the largest airports in the world, Atlanta provides our members with numerous and affordable flight options,” said USA Judo CEO Keith Bryant. “Also, with the ease of access to downtown Atlanta via MARTA, families can take the train to Georgia Aquarium, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park, the College Football Hall of Fame and the World of Coca-Cola, among Atlanta’s many attractions.”

Next year’s event marks the return of a USA Judo national tournament to the Atlanta metropolitan area for the first time in 14 years, since the 2010 Junior Olympic Championships were held in Gwinnett Country. 

The Georgia International Convention Center has been home to many sporting events, including the 2022 USA Weightlifting North American Open Finals, 2023 USA Volleyball Southeast Qualifier and Invitational, 2022 Elite 8 Wrestling Duals and the GBCA/GACA Basketball All-Star Games.

“We are so honored to host the USA Judo Youth National Championships in the ATL Airport District in 2024!” said Cookie Smoak, president of the ATL Airport District, which encompasses the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Ga. “We look forward to supporting such talented young athletes here in College Park at the Georgia International Convention Center. With open arms and much anticipation, we welcome the competitors, along with friends, family and spectators.” 

Tournament host hotel details will be released in the coming weeks. Participant registration information and other tournament details will be released in the fall of 2023.

 

 

 

About the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)

Georgia’s second largest convention center, the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC), is uniquely positioned to offer guests and clients unprecedented convenience. As the world’s only convention center directly connected to a major airport, this modern facility embodies the grace and efficiency of flight itself. The GICC is also home to three new LEED-certified convention hotels; the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, the Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway and the Springhill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway. Equipped with a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a 9,800 square foot Culinary Arts Center and Georgia’s largest ballroom at 40,000 square feet, this event space provides solutions tailored to each convention’s unique needs. The GICC has also successfully achieved GBAC Star Facility Accreditation and is committed to protecting the health and safety of all attendees at every event.

 

For more information, visit GICC.com. To stay updated on all things at the Georgia International Convention Center, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

About the ATL Airport District

The ATL Airport District is the official destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Georgia. Home to the world’s most traveled airport, Georgia’s second largest convention center, more than 7,000 hotel rooms, an abundance of arts and culture, an eclectic mix of great restaurants, and located just minutes from downtown Atlanta, the ATL Airport District offers big-city amenities balanced with Southern charm.

 

To learn more about the ATL Airport District, call 404-334-7500 or visit ATLdistrict.com. For updates on everything in “The District,” follow @ATLDistrict on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

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 10,000 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.