FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 21, 2026) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), in conjunction with Catch Des Moines, will host the 60th AAU Junior Olympic Games from July 28 through August 8. The largest multi-sport event for the youth in the United States will include nearly 15,500 athletes and coaches.

The 12-day event is expected to bring an estimated economic impact of $45 million in direct impact and $78 million in total impact to the Greater Des Moines area. Multiple locations around the area will be utilized including the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, Drake Stadium at Drake University, the Wellmark YMCA Downtown Des Moines, Hy-Vee Multiplex, and Grant Field at the University of Iowa. 

“We’re so excited to be back in Des Moines for the AAU Junior Olympic Games,” AAU President Jo Mirza said. “This marquee event brings athletes from all corners of the country and of all ages together on a national stage. Some of the greatest athletes in the world get their start at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.”

The AAU Junior Olympic Games return to Iowa for the first time since 2023 and the eighth (8th) time Iowa has hosted, more than any other location. This year’s event will feature 16 different sports competitions, including AAU’s marquee track and field event at Drake Stadium. Track and Field, the largest sport at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, will showcase some of the brightest young athlete athletes -- some who will be looking to break their own world records this year. 

"The AAU Junior Olympic Games are the largest multi-sport youth event in the country, and we're excited to welcome thousands of athletes, coaches and families to Greater Des Moines," said Catch Des Moines President & CEO Trina Flack. "Hosting an event of this scale has a meaningful impact on our community, supporting local businesses while showcasing the regional collaboration that makes Greater Des Moines such a special place. We're honored to play a part in the memories these young athletes and their families will carry with them long after the competition ends."

Select events at the AAU Junior Olympic Games will be streaming live and on replay globally on AAU’s new streaming platform, AAU+. Fans will be able to watch event from anywhere around the world on AAUPlus.org, or with the AAU+ app on streaming devices.

Event Schedule:

- Baton Twirling – July 29-31 – RecPlex
- Cheerleading – July 29 – RecPlex
- Dance (Ballroom, Breaking, Hip Hop) – August 4-7 – RecPlex
- Field Hockey – August 2-6 – University of Iowa
- Flag Football – July 30 – August 2 – Hy-Vee Multiplex
- Grappling – July 31 – RecPlex
- Gymnastics – August 4-7 – RecPlex
- Jump Rope – August 1-3 – RecPlex
- Karate & Sport Karate – July 31 – August 1 – RecPlex
- Sport Stacking – August 1-2 – RecPlex
- Strength Sports – July 29-31 – RecPlex
- Swimming – July 28 – August 2 – Wellmark YMCA
- Taekwondo – July 29 – August 2 – RecPlex
- Track & Field/Multi-Events – August 1-8 – Drake Stadium 
- Trampoline & Tumbling – August 4-7 – RecPlex
- Wrestling – August 1-2 - RecPlex

Full details about the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games can be found on the AAU and Catch Des Moines websites – aausports.org/junior-olympic-games and https://www.catchdesmoines.com/. The AAU Junior Olympic Games will return to Des Moines in 2030. 

### 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Troy MacNeill, AAU Marketing Manager

o: 407-828-3055 | e: troy@aausports.org

Ben Handfelt, Catch Des Moines Director of Communication

e: ben@catchdesmoines.com 

ABOUT THE AAU:

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is the largest, non-profit, event-driven multi-sports organizations in the country. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by nearly 1,000,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts annually. Volleyball is the largest sport in the AAU with more than 306,000 members. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.

ABOUT CATCH DES MOINES:

Catch Des Moines is the official destination marketing organization promoting and representing Greater Des Moines to leisure travelers and meeting/sports planners. Our focus is to increase visitors to the metro and elevate the visitor experience to drive economic success and enhance the quality of life in the 14 local Greater Des Moines communities we represent. For more information, visit catchdesmoines.com.