Alachua County announced Tuesday that it will host the 2027 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships following approval by its governing body in October.  

World Masters Athletics (WMA) came to Gainesville earlier this year for the 2025 outdoor championship, bringing around 16,000 international visitors for the week-long competition. 

“The 2025 Championships in Alachua County set a new benchmark for athlete experience and organizational quality,” WMA said in its release announcing the 2027 return. “From the state-of-the-art facilities and warm hospitality to the unforgettable atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect, the event demonstrated the true spirit of the masters movement.” 

Margit Jungmann, WMA president, said the 2025 games laid a foundation that the 2027 competition can, with more time, build from. Over the summer, Jungmann sent a letter encouraging Alachua County to bid for the 2027 host position. 

Alachua County won the nomination to host the 2025 championship after another location fell through, forcing a tight preparation timeline. 

“Alachua County’s investment in our Sports and Events Center has positioned us to host world-class athletic events,” said County Manager Michele Lieberman in a release. “We welcomed the world in 2025 and look forward to the world joining us again in 2027.”   

The competition will be held at West End Park and the Alachua County Sports and Events Center, now managed by the county instead of Viking Companies.  

Alachua County, conducted through UF, audited the event and reported nearly $16 million spent within Florida from the championship, with $10.6 million of that in Alachua County. The report showed that many athletes and attendees came early or stayed late in order to visit other parts of the state.