More than 400 judo athletes from over 40 countries will gather in Gainesville from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 for an international competition that includes an official qualifier for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
According to a Panamerican Judo Confederation (PJC) release sent Monday, the event will take place at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe (4870 Celebration Pointe) and feature Olympians, Pan American champions and rising international athletes competing across multiple divisions.
The centerpiece is the Panamerican Open Florida 2026 on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Results will award world ranking points toward Olympic qualification, making each match an opportunity for athletes seeking a place at the 2028 Games.
The competition begins with two events for younger athletes: the Panamerican Cadet Cup Florida 2026 for athletes under 18 on Oct. 28 and the Panamerican Junior Cup Florida 2026 for athletes under 21 on Oct. 29. Team USA could field some of its top-ranked athletes, including members of the team that competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Judo, an Olympic sport since 1964, is a martial art in which athletes score by throwing opponents to the mat or holding them down.
Preliminary rounds are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., with finals at 4 p.m. on each of the four competition days. Tickets cost $20, and children younger than 12 will be admitted free. Fans can also watch the competition through pay-per-view at panamjudo.tv.
The event is expected to bring hundreds of athletes, coaches, referees and family members to Gainesville, supporting local hotels, restaurants and businesses.
Following the competition, approximately 100 athletes from about 12 countries will remain in Gainesville for the International Judo Training Camp on Nov. 2-3. The camp will be led by Israel Hernández, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and head coach of the USA Judo National Resident Team.
The events are organized by USA Judo in partnership with Alachua County and the Gainesville Sports Commission, under the sanction of the International Judo Federation and the Panamerican Judo Confederation.
Event schedule
- Wednesday, Oct. 28: Panamerican Cadet Cup Florida 2026, under 18
- Thursday, Oct. 29: Panamerican Junior Cup Florida 2026, under 21
- Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Panamerican Open Florida 2026, senior division and Olympic qualifier
- Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 2-3: International Judo Training Camp