More than 400 judo athletes from 40-plus countries compete at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, including a 2028 Olympic qualifier.

More than 400 judo athletes from over 40 countries are expected in Gainesville next week for five days of international competition. The final event, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, is an official qualifier for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Everything takes place at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center, 4870 Celebration Pointe, Alachua County said in a release.

The schedule

Preliminaries begin at 9 a.m. and finals at 4 p.m. on each competition day, the county said.

Day Event Who competes
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Panamerican Cadet Cup Florida 2026 Under 18
Thursday, Oct. 29 Panamerican Junior Cup Florida 2026 Under 21
Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1 Panamerican Open Florida 2026 Seniors; official Olympic qualifier
Monday, Nov. 2, and Tuesday, Nov. 3 International judo training camp About 100 athletes from around 12 countries

The training camp will be led by Israel Hernández, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and head coach of the USA Judo National Resident Team, the county said.

USA Judo is organizing the event with Alachua County and the Gainesville Sports Commission. It is sanctioned by the International Judo Federation and the Panamerican Judo Confederation.

The front of the Alachua County Sports and Events Center, a white two-story building with palm trees and a yellow sculpture of sports balls outside.
The Alachua County Sports & Events Center at Celebration Pointe. Photo: Mjrmtg (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons

Why the county wants events like this

The center is a 130,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2023. The county built it to draw major sporting events and bring visitors who spend money at local hotels, restaurants and stores.

“These events attract visitors who support local hotels, restaurants and businesses while generating tourism-related economic activity,” County Manager Michele Lieberman said.

Stephen Rodriguez, the county’s sports and events manager, said the competition lets residents “experience world-class judo as athletes compete for a place on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games.”

The release did not give an estimate of visitor spending.

What it means for you

  • Want to watch? The senior competition and Olympic qualifier is Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1. The county’s release did not list ticket details. It named the county’s sports and events office, 352-264-6547, for more information.
  • Around Celebration Pointe: athletes, coaches, officials and families are expected to stay and eat locally, the county said. The senior event starts on Halloween.
  • More to do this week is on our things to do this weekend page.