~ The following is a press release provided by Alachua County. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~
ALACHUA COUNTY - Alachua County is proud to announce that it has secured the 2027 World Masters Athletics (WMA) Indoor Championships to be held at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center and West End Park. Building on the success of the 2025 championships, this prestigious international event will once again bring elite masters athletes and visitors from around the world to Alachua County.
“Alachua County’s investment in our Sports and Events Center has positioned us to host world-class athletic events,” said County Manager Michele Lieberman. “We welcomed the world in 2025 and look forward to the world joining us again in 2027.”
In 2025, Alachua County hosted the WMA Indoor Championships for the first time in the U.S., welcoming over 3,700 competing athletes from 98 nations, along with family, coaches and spectators. Total attendance was estimated at 17,433, with 16,190 visitors from outside the county. The economic impact of the event was over $24 million.
The world championships also had significant impacts statewide, with many visitors extending their stay to explore destinations such as Orlando, Miami, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine.
In surveying participants in the 2025 championship, satisfaction rates were high across attendee groups, particularly in the areas of level of competition, quality of event staff and overall experience.
“After the success in 2025, hosting again in 2027 reinforces Alachua County’s leadership in tourism and economic development,” added Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, chair of the Tourist Development Council. “We look forward to our friends, old and new, coming back to our community and taking advantage of everything our county has to offer.”
The Alachua County Sports and Events Center is uniquely equipped for indoor track and field, featuring a 200-meter portable Mondo six-lane banked track, the only one of its kind in Florida. The venue also offers multipurpose space for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other activities, making it a versatile site for international competitions, tradeshows, conferences, and more.
Watch a highlight video of the 2025 World Masters.
For more information, contact Alachua County Tourist and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov at 352-363-8619 or jhurov@alachuacounty.us.
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email editor@
alachuatoday.com
~ The following is a press release provided by Alachua County. It has been published here as received, without additional reporting or editing by Alachua County Today staff. ~
ALACHUA COUNTY - Alachua County is proud to announce that it has secured the 2027 World Masters Athletics (WMA) Indoor Championships to be held at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center and West End Park. Building on the success of the 2025 championships, this prestigious international event will once again bring elite masters athletes and visitors from around the world to Alachua County.
“Alachua County’s investment in our Sports and Events Center has positioned us to host world-class athletic events,” said County Manager Michele Lieberman. “We welcomed the world in 2025 and look forward to the world joining us again in 2027.”
In 2025, Alachua County hosted the WMA Indoor Championships for the first time in the U.S., welcoming over 3,700 competing athletes from 98 nations, along with family, coaches and spectators. Total attendance was estimated at 17,433, with 16,190 visitors from outside the county. The economic impact of the event was over $24 million.
The world championships also had significant impacts statewide, with many visitors extending their stay to explore destinations such as Orlando, Miami, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine.
In surveying participants in the 2025 championship, satisfaction rates were high across attendee groups, particularly in the areas of level of competition, quality of event staff and overall experience.
“After the success in 2025, hosting again in 2027 reinforces Alachua County’s leadership in tourism and economic development,” added Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, chair of the Tourist Development Council. “We look forward to our friends, old and new, coming back to our community and taking advantage of everything our county has to offer.”
The Alachua County Sports and Events Center is uniquely equipped for indoor track and field, featuring a 200-meter portable Mondo six-lane banked track, the only one of its kind in Florida. The venue also offers multipurpose space for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other activities, making it a versatile site for international competitions, tradeshows, conferences, and more.
Watch a highlight video of the 2025 World Masters.
For more information, contact Alachua County Tourist and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov at 352-363-8619 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
# # #
email editor@
alachuatoday.com