Colorado Springs, Colo. (November 10, 2022)—USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States and member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, announced today that the U.S. Open Club Championships, one of ultimate’s flagship events on the domestic calendar, will make its return to Colorado in 2023.

The event, which features both an elite-level tournament – the International Club Championships – and the Youth Club Championships, will take place August 4-7 at the Aurora Sports Park. The event is co-hosted by USA Ultimate, Colorado Ultimate and Altitude Youth Ultimate (AYU) in partnership with Visit Aurora.

The 2023 edition of the U.S. Open Club Championships is set to be the latest in a long line of national-level events held in Aurora as local organizers have co-hosted six of the last seven USA Ultimate Masters Championships (2015-17, 2019, 2021-22), six iterations of the Pro-Elite Challenge (2015-17, 2019, 2021-22) and the 2014 Elite-Select Challenge. Colorado Ultimate and AYU also hosted the 2021 Pro Championships in Boulder. It also marks the return of the U.S. Open to Colorado for the first time since Colorado Springs hosted the inaugural event in 2012. Since then, the tournament has taken place in Raleigh, Minneapolis, Cincinnati and Providence, R.I.

The last five editions have been held in the Twin Cities after the U.S. Open expanded to include USA Ultimate’s Youth Club Championships in 2017.

“AYU has hosted many large and prestigious tournaments for more than five years, including Colorado Cup, Masters Nationals and the Pro Championships,” commented AYU Operations Manager Christian Gentry. “We strive to create the highest quality tournaments for all of our participants and we’re very excited to have the opportunity to host the U.S. Open and bring together our fantastic community in support of the highest level of ultimate for both youth and adults.”

In 2023, the U.S. Open is expected to host approximately 3,500 participants representing up to 136 teams in eight competition divisions. The adult component – the International Club Championships – will take place August 4-6 and feature men’s, mixed and women’s divisions.

The Youth Club Championships will occur August 5-7 and feature U-17 boys and girls and U-20 boys, girls and mixed divisions.

“Visit Aurora is thrilled that Aurora has been selected to host the 2023 U.S. Open Club Championships,” said Visit Aurora VP of Sales and Services. “The U.S. Open will bring together the top competitive club teams to compete at the Aurora Sports Park, and we look forward to supporting the efforts of USA Ultimate, Colorado Ultimate and Altitude Youth Ultimate to welcome thousands of attendees and competitors who will come to our destination next summer. We recognize the value that this event represents to our community and we thank USA Ultimate for giving our destination this opportunity.”

“Colorado makes a great new home for the U.S. Open,” added USA Ultimate CEO Tom Crawford. “As one of our partners, Colorado Ultimate has done a fabulous job growing the sport at the local level through a host of initiatives, and we’re confident we can continue to develop the youth scene and pilot some new youth programs right here in our own backyard. The profile of ultimate in Colorado is at an all-time high with the recent success of local teams at the national level, and we’re excited for those programs to have an opportunity to showcase themselves at a major event in their community.”

Denver-based Johnny Bravo and Molly Brown each claimed national titles last month in San Diego in the men’s and women’s division respectively, while a pair of mixed division teams – Fort Collins shame. and Denver Love Tractor – also qualified for Nationals.

The 2023 edition of the U.S. Open could also mark the return of international teams to the field for the first time since 2019.

“We know from player feedback that the ultimate community loves coming to Colorado,” continued Crawford, “and in a year with no international conflicts, we’re excited at the idea of potentially welcoming back teams from around the world to add a unique flavor to the event.”