Exclusive: IMG Academy to Host Inaugural 2026 Under Armour Track and Field Nationals, a First for Florida
BRADENTON, Fla. - In a landmark move set to reshape the high school athletics landscape, Florida will host a national high school track and field championship for the first time. IMG Academy and Under Armour are launching the 2026 IMG Academy Under Armour Track and Field Nationals, scheduled for spring 2026.
The three-day championship will bring the nation's top high school and middle school athletes to IMG Academy's state-of-the-art Rekortan gel track - currently the only gel-based track in the world - engineered to maximize energy return and enhance performance.
The meet will take place May 29-31, 2026, with both high school and middle school divisions competing across the three days. Registration opens Feb. 1, 2026, and closes May 1, 2026. Field sizes will be predetermined by the meet committee, with entries selected in descending order based on verified performance marks.
A New Era for High School Nationals
Florida has long been known for producing elite sprinters and youth talent, but it has never hosted a true national championship meet. The arrival of the Under Armour Nationals changes that, bringing the country's top high school and middle school athletes together on a single stage.
Under Armour brings its signature rallying cry - Protect This House - to the heart of youth track and field, while IMG Academy provides the ideal setting. Its state-of-the-art facilities, sun-soaked campus and professional competition environment give athletes a platform to perform at their best.
Recent IMG graduates - including sprinters Davonte Howell and Dylan Woodruffe, along with long jumper Malcolm Clemons - have achieved success at the NCAA and national levels, showcasing the environment IMG creates to help athletes reach their full potential. The IMG Under Armour Nationals will offer the next generation the same opportunity to excel.
Meet Schedule and Key Dates
Competition days:
-
Friday, May 29
-
Saturday, May 30
-
Sunday, May 31
Events Offered
High School Championship Division
Sprints: 100, 200, 400
Distance: 800, 1 mile, 2 mile
Hurdles: 100 hurdles (girls), 110 hurdles (boys), 400 hurdles
Relays:
-
4x100
-
4x200
-
4x400
-
4x800
-
4x1 mile
-
Distance medley relay (1,200-400-800-1,600)
Throws: discus, hammer, shot put, javelin
Jumps: long jump, high jump, pole vault, triple jump
Multis: decathlon (boys), heptathlon (girls)
Middle School Division
100, 200, 400, 800, 1 mile, 2 mile 100 hurdles, 200 hurdles Relays: 4x100, 4x400 Jumps: long jump, pole vault, high jump Throws: shot put, discus, javelin Pentathlon
Field sizes will be predetermined by the meet committee, with accepted entries based on verified marks from the 2025-26 season.
A Premier Stage for Emerging Talent
The IMG Academy Under Armour Track and Field Nationals bring another option into a somewhat already crowded high school nationals landscape. The event features an innovative gel track and a venue built with athlete performance and development in mind, giving participants an additional opportunity to compete against strong national-level athletes in a distinctive setting.
With IMG Academy's gel track, Under Armour's involvement, and the broader campus environment, the meet offers a different type of stage for high school athletes. As outdoor national championships continue to expand in number, this event serves as one more alternative for those looking to race at a national meet when it launches in May 2026.