YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship to return to Greensboro Aquatic Center in 2027, 2028 & 2029

GREENSBORO, NC (April 1, 2026) - The Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC) has been selected to host the YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The annual event is the nation's top youth swimming competition.

"As the YMCA celebrates 175 years of strengthening communities, events like this reflect the powerful role sports have always played in bringing people together," said Meredith Griffin, Director of Sports and Competitive Events Strategy at YMCA of the USA. "The Greensboro Aquatic Center has become a cornerstone for YMCA swimming, where young athletes not only compete at the highest level, but also build confidence, character, and a sense of belonging that stays with them long after they leave the pool. We're honored to continue this long-standing partnership and tradition of excellence."

The GAC is currently hosting the 2026 YMCA National Short Course National Swimming Championship through Friday, marking the 13th time the venue has hosted this prestigious annual event. The 2026 Championship features more than 1,200 from more than 180 Ys across the country and is generating an estimated $3.9 million in economic impact (source: Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau).

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to build on the long term and highly successful relationship we have built with YMCA of the USA," said GAC manager David Hoover. "We look forward to continuing to provide an elite experience for the swimmers, coaches and YMCA officials."

The 2027-2029 YMCA Short Course National Swimming Championships will be hosted by the Greensboro Aquatic Center in cooperation with the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Greensboro Sports Foundation.

In addition to the athletes, there are an additional 5,000 parents, coaches, and volunteers who attend in support of the event each year.

"Hosting elite national youth swimming championships at the GAC is a critical component of the tremendous impact of sports tourism in our area," said Richard Beard, president of the Greensboro Sports Foundation. "Our relationship with the YMCA has been a tremendous partnership for all involved and we're excited to serve as host for their National Short Course Swimming Championship for the next three years."

The Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the 2027-2029 Championships will generate a total of more than $12.5 million in economic impact.

"We are excited to extend our partnership with the YMCA for the National Short Course Swimming Championship for another three years," said Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Chief Executive Officer Anthony Cordo. "This long-term partnership allows us to continue bringing high-profile youth athletic competitions to Greensboro that contribute to the livelihood of our city. Each event brings new visitors that generate increased revenue for our airport, hotels, small businesses, and attractions, directly supporting job opportunities, community investment, and quality of life for our local residents."

About the Y
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they're from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y's goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Learn more at ymca.org.

About Greensboro Aquatic Center
Located on the campus of the Greensboro (NC) Complex, the Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC) has evolved into the largest indoor aquatic center in the country (105,323 sq. ft.). Built at a cost of nearly $19 million, the versatility of the GAC showcases its capabilities to host all major aquatic sports - competitive swimming and diving, water polo and artistic swimming - in a single facility. Since its opening in 2011, the state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, four-pool venue has compiled an impressive national event hosting resume including numerous USA Swimming, U.S. Masters, USA Diving, USA Artistic Swimming, NCAA, ACC and YMCA national championships. The GAC also serves the Piedmont Triad community of central North Carolina through its daily hosting of fitness classes, club and high school swim and dive team practices, private swim lessons and its unique partnership with Guilford County Schools in the development of a privately financed, curriculum-based 'Learn to Swim' healthy lifestyle program that has garnered national acclaim.
For more information: GreensboroAquaticCenter.com.

About the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro's assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Travel and tourism generated nearly $1.8 billion in Guilford County in 2024, employing more than 11,000 in travel-related jobs, according to "The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties" study prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.

About the Greensboro Sports Foundation
The Greensboro Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to positioning Greensboro as a premier destination for sports, events, and sports tourism. With a proud legacy rooted in the city's rich athletic history, the Foundation works collaboratively with community partners, venues, and event organizers to recruit, host, and create high-quality sporting events that drive economic impact and community engagement.
From national championships to international competitions, the Greensboro Sports Foundation showcases the region's first-class facilities, passionate volunteers, and unmatched hospitality. Through its efforts, the Foundation not only elevates Greensboro's profile on the national and global stage but also fosters opportunities for youth participation, healthy living, and community pride.