ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Alachua County officials announced that the county has been selected to host a track and field indoor championship, attracting thousands of tourists.
County officials say World Masters Athletics (WMA) announced this week that Alachua County will host the 2025 WMA Indoor Championships (WMACi25.) According to the release, the WMA is an international governing body for track and field, cross county, road race, and racewalk for athletes aged 35 and up.
County officials say this is the first time the event will be held in the United States, granting Alachua County the honor of being the first community in the U.S. to host the event.
In the announcement, WMA Council President Margit Jungmann gave thanks to Alachua County, Gainesville Sports Commission, and RADD Sports for hosting the indoor championships.
“We are confident their team is exceptionally qualified and capable of organizing a World Championship as they support over seventy sporting events annually,” shared Jungmann. “It will be special having outdoor events in warmer average temperatures than previous Championships and returning to North America.”
According to the release, WMACi25 is held every two years, featuring 24 events that includes indoor track and field, road race, and outdoor throwing events over the span of eight days.
“My fellow commissioners and I want to thank the WMA Council and its member federations for choosing us to host this amazing international event. We are excited to welcome the world in 2025! We will provide a wonderful experience for our regional, national, and international visitors,” said Mary Alford, Chair of the Alachua County Commission. “Alachua County’s experience hosting major events, our world-class facilities and amenities, rich sports history, and cultural, natural, and entertainment offerings make it the ideal location for the World Masters Indoor Championships.”
In 2024, over 4,000 athletes participated in the championships in Torun, Poland. County officials say the event is estimated to bring over 10,000 visitors to Alachua County in March of 2025. They say 60% of those visitors will be coming from international destinations.
The bid committee is a partnership between Alachua County, Viking Companies, Celebration Pointe, RADDSports, Visit Gainesville/Alachua County and Gainesville Sports Commission. Their collaborative efforts will begin in May and the Alachua County Local Organizing Committee will be activated to organize the event.
“We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with the State of Florida, Alachua County, and our community partners to introduce Alachua County to the world stage,” said Celebration Pointe developer Svein Drykolbotn. “This success demonstrates the power of sport tourism to bring exposure to our community as a destination.”
County officials say the Alachua County Sports and Events Center (ACSEC) located at Celebration Pointe played a major role in landing the championships after the center hosted a pre-opening indoor track and field season early last year. This announcement comes right before the 2024 indoor track and field series at the ACSEC, which will feature 16 total meets with four of those being collegiate conference championships as well as a national championship. For more information about the ACSEC, click here.
The “state-of-the-art” indoor facility came about through an appropriation by the State of Florida along with the help of the Alachua County local state delegation.
“This announcement, and very special event, will put Florida on the world stage to showcase talented athletes from across the globe,” shared state Rep. Chuck Clemens, speaker pro-tempore. “The economic impacts of this event, and games like it, have on our community are opportunities that all Florida communities pray for.”