Posted March 25, 2026 in Press Releases
CLEVELAND, OH – Following the successful conclusion of the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) is officially announcing its full 2026 calendar. In one of the most prolific years in the organization’s history, Cleveland is set to host 20 major sporting events, spanning youth, collegiate, and professional levels – with the potential for more events to be added to the slate as the year unfolds.
The diverse 2026 schedule is projected to bring an estimated $95,950,000 in economic impact to Northeast Ohio that includes several NCAA and Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) championships, which always add additional marquis value. This surge in activity underscores Cleveland’s status as a premier destination for large-scale sports tourism and elite competition.
“2026 represents a major milestone for our team, as we manage a historic volume of events throughout the calendar year,” said David Gilbert, President & CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “Projecting over $95 million in impact from 20 different events is a significant achievement for our non-profit. Our team is extremely thankful to the Northeast Ohio community and our partners for their tireless support in making Cleveland the destination for large-scale sporting events.”
The 2026 lineup features several marquee events, headlined by the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships, the AMA Supercross Championship and the international Road to 26 soccer match between Brazil and Egypt. Each of these events is expected to draw massive crowds and drive significant economic impact to the region.
A complete list of 2026 awarded events and economic impact are as follows:
Junior Volleyball Association Rock ‘N Rumble
Date: January 10-11 & 17-19, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Estimated Economic Impact: $6,300,000
AAU Cleveland Grand Prix Volleyball
Dates: January 31-February 1, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Estimated Economic Impact: $2,700,000
Nike North Coast Cup
Dates: February 14-16, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Estimated Economic Impact: $4,000,000
USA Fencing March North American Cup
Dates: March 4-9, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Estimated Economic Impact: $5,000,000
Nike Shamrock Showdown
Dates: March 14-15, 2026
Location: I-X Center
Estimated Economic Impact: $3,600,000
NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships
Dates: March 19-21, 2026
Location: Rocket Arena
Estimated Economic Impact: $19,100,000
National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship
Dates: April 10-11, 2026
Location: Yorktown Lanes
Estimated Economic Impact: $250,000
Dru Joyce Classic
Dates: April 10-12, 2026
Location: I-X Center
Estimated Economic Impact: $2,000,000
AMA Supercross Championship
Dates: April 18, 2026
Location: Huntington Bank Field
Estimated Economic Impact: $18,000,000
American Cornhole League: Cleveland Signature Open
Dates: April 24-25, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Estimated Economic Impact: $1,000,000
Nike Open
Dates: May 8-10, 2026
Location: I-X Center
Estimated Economic Impact: $3,600,000
USA Wrestling U23 National Championship & U20 Freestyle World Team Trials
Dates: May 28-31, 2026
Location: SPIRE Academy
Estimated Economic Impact: $1,500,000
NCAA Division III Baseball Championships
Dates: May 28-June 4, 2026
Location: Classic Auto Group Park (Lake County Captains)
Estimated Economic Impact: $500,000
Road to 26 – Brazil vs. Egypt
Date: June 6, 2026
Location: Huntington Bank Field
Estimated Economic Impact: $18,000,000
USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor Track & Field
Dates: July 13-19, 2026
Location: SPIRE Academy
Estimated Economic Impact: $2,100,000
USA Boxing National Open
Dates: September 26-October 3, 2026
Location: Cleveland Public Auditorium
Estimated Economic Impact: $3,400,000
Pickle in the Land
Dates: November 5-8, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Economic Impact: $250,000
Nike FreezeFest
Dates: December 5-6, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Estimated Economic Impact: $3,150,000
USA Track & Field Club Cross Country & National Championships
Date: December 12, 2026
Location: Silver Creek Metro Park
Estimated Economic Impact: $1,500,000
2026 Total Projected Economic Impact: $95,950,000