Phoenix's sports boom continues with USA Gymnastics Championships

Right as Joel Koester was beginning his role as Executive Director of the new Phoenix Sports and Events Commission, agreements were being finalized for the destination to host the USA Gymnastics National Championships, National Congress and Trade Show.

“We’ve, from a community standpoint and partnership standpoint, really leaned into supporting this event,” Koester told me. “This event, it’s going to be big for our city. I think it’s just going to continue to show why we are a great sports hub.”

Coming off hosting the Women’s Final Four this spring with UCLA winning the title and last year’s WNBA All-Star Game at Mortgage Matchup Arena in downtown, the USA Gymnastics event from August 6-9 will feature elite junior and senior artistic gymnasts as they compete for national titles and vie to make the U.S. National Team, from which the roster for the 2026 World Championships in the Netherlands will be selected.