March 18, 2024 (Colorado Springs, Colo.)–The National Championships will return to San Diego this fall as part of a three-year deal that keeps the tournament in southern California through 2026, USA Ultimate announced today. The new agreement marks the return of the most prestigious ultimate tournament in North America to Surf Cup Sports Park in the nearby beach community of Del Mar.

The dates of the National Championships for the next three years are October 24-27, 2024; October 23-26, 2025; and October 22-25, 2026.

The USA Ultimate National Championships represent the culmination of the club ultimate season and crowns national champions in three divisions – men’s, mixed and women’s. Each year, more than 600 club teams compete in the regular season before playing in a postseason championship series of sectional and regional qualifiers. Forty-eight teams qualify for nationals (16 in each division).

“We are excited to have Nationals back for the next three years after five successful years of the event at Surf Cup Sports Park,” commented Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego.  “We recognize the positive impact that events like Nationals can have on our local economy, tourism industry and community spirit.”

San Diego first hosted the National Championships in 2018 against the backdrop of the sport’s 50th anniversary celebration. Since then, it’s hosted the last four editions. The National Championships also serve as the third leg of ultimate’s Triple Crown, along with the U.S. Open (Aurora, CO; August 2-4) and the Pro Championships (Rock Hill, SC; August 31 – Sept. 2).