Press Release: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics selects Asheville, North Carolina for 2026, 2027 Outdoor Track & Field National Championships

Asheville, N.C. – Aug. 27, 2025 – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Explore Asheville and Airstream Ventures are thrilled to announce Asheville, North Carolina, as the host city for the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in 2026 and 2027. A prestigious three‑day event, the championships bring together approximately 1,300 athletes representing men’s and women’s teams, along with their families and fans, for an unparalleled celebration of collegiate athletic excellence. The event is expected to generate more than $1.3 million in direct spending throughout the Asheville area. 

“On behalf of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, we are honored to welcome the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships to our community in 2026 and 2027,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Hosting this prestigious event underscores Asheville’s standing as a leading sports destination in the Southeast while also fueling our local creative economy and supporting the recovery of small businesses following Hurricane Helene. Sporting events and facilities are places that bring people together to inspire hope and pride. They are also essential to our community's economic and recreational well-being. We look forward to showcasing Asheville’s vibrant spirit, mountain setting and warm hospitality to student-athletes, their families and fans from across the country. We are proud that Explore Asheville’s investment in sports facilities for our community has helped make this possible.”

The championships will take place at UNC Asheville’s recently renovated Karl Straus Track, with expansions made possible in part by a $1.5 million Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) investment through the tourism development authority. Renovated three years ago, the UNC Asheville track has become one of the top facilities in the country. The track seats more than 500, and fans and athletes will be treated to a fast surface and excellent venue. 

“The NAIA is excited to partner with Airstream Ventures and Explore Asheville to provide a first-class experience to the student-athletes competing for outdoor track and field national championships,” said Austin Bennett, NAIA vice president for championships. “The Karl Straus Track and the amenities the area brings to the table will allow the NAIA to provide an event that will make lasting memories for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

For its first year in Asheville, the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will take place Wednesday through Friday, May 20-22, 2026. In 2027, the event is set for Wednesday through Friday, May 26-28. Fans will be encouraged to stay in Asheville and experience the mountains and vibrant community. 

“Hosting the NAIA championships at Karl Straus Track is a tremendous honor and opportunity,” said Janet Cone, athletic director at UNC Asheville. “Our facilities are designed to support elite-level competition, and we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for athletes, coaches and spectators. We’re proud to bring national attention to Asheville and UNC Asheville and thankful for this partnership with Airstream Ventures, Explore Asheville and the NAIA.” 

For additional information, athlete qualifications, schedules, sponsorships or media opportunities, please reach out to NAIA Championship Sport Manager Samantha Walker at [email protected] or call (816) 595‑8156. Explore Asheville will coordinate the 2026 and 2027 events with its sports tourism partner, Airstream Ventures. A local organizing committee will be introduced at a later date. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Greenstein, 828-318-8960, [email protected]
Kyle McCurry, 828-508-4073, [email protected]
Austin Bennett, 816-595-8109, [email protected]
Brooke Barlow, 904-571-1435, [email protected]
Kassi Butcher, 828-251-6905, [email protected]

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About NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
As one of the NAIA’s premier championships, this event features top collegiate athletes in preliminary and final-energy races across sprints, distance, jumps, throws, and relays. Since its inception, the championships have rotated among esteemed venues, including Marion, Indiana, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

About Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority 
Explore Asheville is the official destination marketing and management organization for one of the most deeply rooted and creative destinations in the Southeast. Explore Asheville is powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a public authority that has been investing in and building community since 1983. The authority has committed nearly $100 million in grants to more than 50 community projects, including sports venues, as well as over $2.1 million in grants through the Always Asheville Fund to more than 400 small travel and hospitality businesses to reopen in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

About UNC Asheville Athletics
UNC Asheville, competing as the Bulldogs in NCAA Division I and Big South Conference, is home to top-tier athletic facilities, including the Karl Straus Track. Under Athletic Director Janet Cone, the university emphasizes both athletic and academic excellence. 

About Airstream Ventures

Airstream Ventures is a sports marketing and event company that delivers first-class, impactful events and opportunities that change communities and lives. Working now in communities all across the country, Airstream Ventures uses an approach that features the intersections of sports tourism, event creation and recruitment, television programming and revenue generation. Visit airstreamventures.com for additional information. Airstream Ventures: Where partnerships connect with communities.