Colorado Springs, Colo. (Feb. 20, 2020) — USA Ultimate announced today a three-year agreement with Diego Ultimate Disc Experience (DUDE), in collaboration with the state-based organization California Ultimate, that keeps the USA Ultimate National Championships in San Diego through 2022.

“Our athletes and fans have had an incredible experience at the National Championships in San Diego the last couple of years and we have been proud of the excitement the event has generated within the ultimate community and beyond,” commented USA Ultimate Managing Director of Competition and National Team Programs Will Deaver. “We have also had a great experience working with our local partners, including DUDE and the Surf Cup Sports Park, and we look forward to working with them, along with California Ultimate, again.”

“DUDE is happy to continue hosting the USA Ultimate National Championships in sunny San Diego for the next three years,” added Emily Blazar, President of DUDE. “We are excited to welcome the ultimate community to our beautiful beach city and look forward to supporting the teams while witnessing some great competition out on the fields. Hope to see you soon!” 

The event — which has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from athletes, fans and the community about their experiences attending the event the past two years — will continue to take place in October at the Surf Cup Sports Park, with the 2020 edition scheduled for October 22-25.

“Part of our mission at Surf Cup Sports is to work with the best of the best event organizers and athletes,” commented Rob Haskell, Vice President of Surf Cup Sports. “In the world of competitive ultimate, that group is USA Ultimate. We’re thrilled to have them on board for a long-term agreement, and we’re looking forward to seeing this sport continue to explode in popularity.”

The National Championships represent the pinnacle of elite ultimate in North America, playing host to the top 48 elite club teams in the country and crowning champions in three divisions: men’s, mixed and women’s. Last year, Philadelphia AMP defended their title, winning their second straight national championship in the mixed division, while Seattle Sockeye (men’s) won their first title since 2007 and Boston Brute Squad (women’s) won their program’s third title.

The National Championships also serve as the third and final leg of USA Ultimate’s Triple Crown Tour, following the U.S. Open Club Championships and Pro Championships.

Joining the support team is USA Ultimate’s state-based organization California Ultimate, who will support USA Ultimate, DUDE and the Surf Cup Sports Park in building on the success of the last two years, expanding support for the event and creating the highest quality competitive and community experience for the top players and teams in the sport.

“California Ultimate is thrilled to join forces with both DUDE and USA Ultimate to make the National Championships a bigger and better event over the next three years,” said Grant Boyd, the executive director of California Ultimate. “As we forge partnerships, cultivate sponsors and continue to grow ultimate in new and established California communities, we hope our collaboration will draw more media attention to this prestigious event and develop new interest in our sport.”

Beyond 2020, future editions are scheduled for Oct. 21-24, 2021, and Oct. 20-23, 2022.