ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced that the 2026 and 2027 NAIA Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will be held at Karl Straus Track in Asheville, N.C., on the campus of UNC Asheville, hosted by Explore Asheville and Airstream Ventures.
 
The 74^th-annual men's and 45^th-annual women's championships are set for May 20-22, 2026, while the 75^th-annual men's and 46^th-annual women's event is scheduled for May 26-28, 2027.
 
"The NAIA is excited to partner with Airstream Ventures and Explore Asheville to provide a first-class student-athlete experience to the student-athletes competing for outdoor track and field national championships," said Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President for Championships. "The Karl Straus Track and the amenities the area brings to the table will allow the NAIA to provide an event that will make lasting memories for our student-athletes, coaches and fans."
 
Surrounded by the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Karl Straus Track has a state-of-the-art Mondo track that was part of a $4 million facility renovation, completed in 2023, in part with Tourism Product Development grant funds through Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. This commitment underscores Asheville's focus on building premier sports venues while also supporting the community's recovery following Hurricane Helene. Hosting the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will not only showcase one of the nation's top collegiate track facilities, but also generate direct economic impact and provide a boost for local businesses that continue to rebuild and thrive.
 
"On behalf of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, we are honored to welcome the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships to our community in 2026 and 2027," said Vic Isley, President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. "Hosting this prestigious event underscores Asheville's standing as a leading sports destination in the Southeast while also fueling our local creative economy and supporting the recovery of small businesses following Hurricane Helene. Sporting events and facilities are places that bring people together to inspire hope and pride. They are also essential to our community's economic and recreational well-being. We look forward to showcasing Asheville's vibrant spirit, mountain setting and warm hospitality to student-athletes, their families and fans from across the country, and we are proud that Explore Asheville's investment in sports facilities for our community has helped make this possible."
 
Asheville's combination of outstanding athletic venues, vibrant downtown and outdoor recreation opportunities makes it a fitting host for the culminating events of the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field season.
 
"Securing this national championship, in partnership with Explore Asheville, UNCA, Montreat College and the NAIA, just continues to show Asheville's resilience and drive as a community," said Alan Verlander, CEO of Airstream Ventures. "Our company is truly honored to help lead this effort in sports tourism and looks forward to hosting the thousands of visitors to Asheville in May. National championships are special events, and we want to thank the NAIA for having the trust in our team to deliver a first-class experience for the student athletes, coaches and fans."
 
Additional championship details, including ticketing information, schedules and fan activities, will be released closer to the event dates at www.naia.org.