National Championships

2026 USRowing RowFest National Championships 

Ann Arbor, Mich. July 11-19, 2026

Regatta Updates

Entry Packet

The 2026 USRowing domestic regatta entry packets were posted for a comment period to all members from December 1 to December 31, 2025. The final entry packet for the 2026 USRowing RowFest National Championships was published on February 2, 2026.

Register

Registration for the 2026 USRowing RowFest National Championships will open on April 1, 2026. A full list of dates and deadlines is available in the regatta entry packet and on the RegattaCentral page linked below.

Athletes & Coaches Pre-Regatta Meetings

The Athletes and Coaches Pre-Regatta Meetings will be held virtually via Zoom on July 6, 2026.

• Open/U23/Youth/U17: 7:00 p.m. ET - Register HERE.
• Masters: 8:30 p.m. ET - Register HERE.

Venue Information

Ford Lake Park, Ypsilanti, MI

For complete venue details, please refer to the entry packet linked above.

Trailer Parking 

All trailers must be registered prior to arriving on site. Please fill out the trailer arrival form HERE if you are planning on transporting a trailer. Please only submit one registration per trailer.

Trailers may arrive at the venue during the following time frames. If your trailer arrives outside of the below parking windows, you must park your trailer offsite and then come back when trailer parking is open. When arriving, a staff member will direct you to your trailer parking spot and your boat lay down area.

• Friday, July 10 – 8:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m.
• July 11-14 – 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 15 – 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• July 16-19 - 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Spectator Parking

Each team will receive one complimentary coach parking pass that gets them continued access to Ford Lake Park. All other vehicles will pay at the entrance of the park and then staff and volunteers will assist with showing them where to park. Each vehicle will pay $10.00 in cash per day / per vehicle.

Course & Venue Maps

Local To-Do's 

Check out the Ann Arbor Sports Commission website for all RowFest social information and opportunities! The home website of local restaurant promotions to regatta updates, and volunteer sign up!

Ann Arbor Sports Commission Website

This year, the Marriott Ypsilanti Ann Arbor at Eagle Crest will be serving as the RowFest Hospitality Hub for the Masters portion of the regatta! They will offer different events throughout the week including a nightly Finish line Happy Hour and the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Mariott at Eaglecrest x USRowing RowFest Happy Hour. Please see below for more information, and be sure to join us there!

Daily Welcome Experience

Finish Line Happy Hour

From July 11–19, The View Bar & Restaurant in the hotel will serve as our RowFest Watch Party Venue, featuring live race coverage, specialty food offerings, draft beer specials, featured wines, and half-price signature cocktails during designated "Row the Boat" happy hour periods.

Signature Events: Learning and Development Opportunity for Masters and Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Mariott at Eaglecrest x USRowing RowFest Happy Hour

Friday, July 17 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | Will Banks Ballroom

Learning & Development Opportunity for Masters - We have two Learning & Development opportunities that we have added for Masters athletes today to continue to strengthen your craft while we’re all together! Please come to the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Mariott at Eagle Crest Will Banks Ballroom for the following sessions. Attendance is free for both sessions. 

1. 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Functional movement with Olympic Gold Medalist, and 3x World Champion, Lindsay Dare Shoop.  
2. Learn to move by moving with movement and masters specialist, Lindsay Dare Shoop. An interactive look at what really keeps the body rowing well and for a lifetime. Come prepared and dressed to move your body and bring your water!
3. 5:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Masters Nutrition with former U.S. Rowing National Team Sports Nutrionist, Liz Fusco  
4. Former U.S. Rowing National Team Sports Nutritionist Liz Fusco will share practical nutrition strategies to help masters rowers fuel training, enhance recovery, and support long-term health. This session will provide actionable tips that athletes can immtediatelyimmediately apply to improve performance on and off the water. 

Friday, July 17 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Will Banks Ballroom 

Enjoy the masters camaraderie and join us at the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Mariott at Eagle Crest Will Banks Ballroom from 6:00 – 8:30p.m. Come enjoy a complimentary light bites, a display of the great vendors that have been at RowFest this week, a cash bar, and great opportunities to connect with the rowing community. 

Volunteer Policy

Volunteers are a critical component of all regattas. Our sport’s sustainability and success rely heavily on these dedicated supporters, who help ensure that our rowers, teams, coaches, spectators, and more have a safe, fair, and rewarding experience. The purpose of this policy is to provide additional volunteer support at USRowing-owned regattas to Local Organizing Committees (LOCs).

Disability Accommodation Request

USRowing requests you complete the form below to indicate what area of accommodation you would like to bring to our attention.

International Rowing Challenge (IRC)

The International Rowing Challenge is designed to provide a world-class racing and training experience for emerging national team rowers, coxswains, and coaches. This event brings together top U19 athletes from around the world, creating an environment that mirrors international-level competition. THe USA, Canada, Mexica, New Zealand, and Australia will be in attendance this year. 

This regatta will take place June 9-11, 2026

Hotels Nearby

View 2025 RowFest and IRC Photo Galleries