World Masters Athletics (WMA), the international governing body for track & field, cross country, road race and racewalk for athletes 35 and older, announced on Wednesday that Alachua County will host the 2025 WMA Indoor Championships (WMACi25).
This will mark the first time the event has been held in the United States, giving Alachua County the honor of being the first U.S. community to host.
In the WMA announcement, WMA Council President Margit Jungmann thanked the Alachua County, Gainesville Sports Commission and RADD Sports for hosting the 2025 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," she said. "It will be special having outdoor events in warmer average temperatures than previous Championships and returning to North America."
The WMACi25 is held every two years and features 24 events, including competition in indoor track & field, cross country, road race and outdoor throwing events over eight days.
In 2024, over 4,000 athletes participated in the championships in Torun, Poland. The event is estimated to bring over 10,000 visitors to Alachua County in March 2025, with 60% coming from international destinations.
"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 all our regional, national, and international visitors," Stated 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."
The bid committee is a collaborative effort between Alachua County, Viking Companies, Celebration Pointe, RADDSports, Visit Gainesville/Alachua County and Gainesville Sports Commission, which began in May 2023. Now awarded, the Alachua County Local Organizing Committee will be activated to organize this major international 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 Dyrkolbotn. "This success demonstrates the power of sport tourism to bring exposure to our community as a destination."
The opening of the Alachua County Sports and Events Center (ACSEC) at Celebration Pointe was the catalyst for landing the championships when the center hosted a pre-opening indoor track and field season in early 2023. The announcement comes just ahead of the 2024 indoor track & field series at the ACSEC, featuring 16 total meets, with four collegiate conference championships and a national championship.
The state-of-the-art indoor track facility was made possible through an appropriation by the State of Florida with the support 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," said state Rep. Chuck Clemons, 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."
Related Links:
View the official WMA announcement.
Learn more about the Alachua County Sports and Event Center.
For more information, contact RADDSports Sr. Vice President Stephen V. Rodriguez at 850-320-0401 or stephen@raddsports.com.
