The biggest U.S. gymnastics competition this side of the Olympics is coming to Tampa the next two years. The Southeastern Conference announced today that the 2027 and 2028 SEC Gymnastics Championships will be held at Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena. Dates and ticket information will be released closer to the events.
It’s one of the most prestigious events in college sports, featuring Olympians and the best in collegiate gymnastics. It’s only in recent years that it became more possible for Olympic athletes to also compete for their universities, thanks to the NCAA’s adoption of Name, Image, and Likeness models.
A large percentage (but certainly not all) of the country’s best gymnastics programs are in the SEC, which means many of the world’s best will be competing in Tampa over the next two years. Auburn star gymnast Suni Lee is one of the biggest Olympic names to come through the SEC pipeline in the last few years.
In fact, SEC members Oklahoma just won their eighth National Championship on April 18, an example of the talent the conference brings to the table. The next round of star Olympians may very well be coming through Tampa on their way to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tampa has long been a favored host for SEC championships and sporting events, though this is the first time the city has hosted the gymnastics championships. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey pointed to that past success as a key factor in bringing the competition to town.
“We are pleased to bring the SEC Gymnastics Championships to Tampa, thanks in large part to the strong support the Tampa Bay community has historically provided for SEC events,” Sankey said. “That proven enthusiasm, combined with Benchmark International Arena’s championship reputation and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s deep experience, gives us great confidence in delivering a world-class event worthy of the elite level of competition our student-athletes bring to the floor every year.”
Tampa most recently hosted the prestigious men’s and women’s U.S. Gymnastics Championships in 2022 at Benchmark International Arena, featuring Olympic-level athletes. The community also hosted the 2018 AAU Gymnastics National Championships at the Tampa Convention Center, where the community welcomed thousands of athletes, coaches, and families from across the country.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have the SEC Gymnastics Championships in Tampa Bay for the first time ever,” said Lanness Robinson, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “From impactful youth events to the AAU Championships and, most recently, the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, we have carved out a proven resume of hosting premier gymnastics events. This opportunity to further expand our relationship with the SEC through one of the premier conference championships will benefit our community and the conference. We look forward to providing the athletes, teams, fans, and guests a first-class experience in 2027 and 2028.”