Charlotte will host the 2027 Military World Summer Games
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The 2027 CISM Military World Summer Games have been awarded to the United States by the International Military Sports Council (CISM) with Charlotte as the host city.
Why it matters: This will be the first time the CISM Military World Summer Games will be held in the United States. Plus, hosting the Games could bring the state $3 billion, the Observer reported.
Context: The Military World Games take place every four years and are held the year before the Olympics.
- The goal of the Games is to use sport to foster friendship and peace among nations.
- Roughly 10,000 military athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 25 sports, ranging from traditional Olympic sports like swimming and basketball to military-specific events, like parachuting.
What they're saying: "A lot of people don't even know these games exist," U.S. Performance Center co-founder/co-owner David Koerner tells Axios.
Between the lines: The U.S. Department of Defense signed the games over to Charlotte's local organizing committee to run the games, which includes USPC, plus state and local government agencies.
- Koerner and his USPC co-founder, Ike Belk, are members of the local organizing committee, which is now in the process of contracting venues.
"The citizens of North Carolina are all going to benefit from the massive sport tourism money coming into our state," Belk tells Axios. "This for me was a dream (which sometimes seemed like a battle!), but we are heartened by the way all parties came together to make this a reality."
Zoom in: CISM says Charlotte was selected due to its "outstanding sports infrastructure, its experience in hosting international sporting events, and its strategic position as a leading hub for sports tourism," per a press release.
- Charlotte's sports venues are in the midst of a renaissance, with renovations underway or planned for a number of venues, including Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center and the Jerry Richardson Field.
- Other potential venues for the Games in the area include American Legion Memorial Stadium, Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Truist Field and the U.S National Whitewater Center.
What they're saying: "Charlotte's outstanding sporting facilities, organizational expertise, and commitment to the values of CISM make it the ideal host for this historic event," CISM president Colonel Nilton Rolim said in a statement.
- "We are excited that Charlotte will be the first U.S. city to host the 2027 Military World Games," Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in a statement provided to Axios. "The designation speaks to our city's outstanding sports infrastructure and diverse attractions for all to enjoy ... We look forward to welcoming the participants and fans from across the globe."
Editor's note: This story was published on April 3, 2025 and updated on April 4 to include a quote from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.