Birmingham is the only U.S. stop for the 2026 World Boccia Challenger + it’s free—here’s how to go

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If you’ve been curious about Lakeshore Foundation and what actually happens there, we have an excellent opportunity to see it shine on a global stage—and it’s FREE!

From June 18-22, Lakeshore Foundation will host the Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger, the first international boccia competition in the U.S. since 2017 and one of only 11 sanctioned events worldwide this year.

Read on to learn more about the sport, how Birmingham landed the event + what to expect when you go.

What is Boccia + the World Boccia Challenger?

Boccia is a precision ball sport developed for athletes who use wheelchairs and has been described as comparable to chess and curling combined. Players roll, kick or use a ramp to send balls toward a target, with the closest winning each round.

👀 ICYMI: Members of our Bham Now team + the Lakeshore Foundation Junior Board got a boccia lesson at City Walk last summer.

The sport debuted at the 1984 Paralympics and now has athletes competing in more than 50 countries. The U.S. has seven Paralympic medals in the sport, and the team training for LA28 is based right here in Birmingham.

Last summer, Lakeshore Foundation hosted the 10th Anniversary USA National Boccia Championships. This summer, it welcomes the world, and Birmingham is ready for it.

“Hosting this important and impactful event reinforces Birmingham’s reputation as a premier sports destination and provides an incredible opportunity to showcase our city’s signature hospitality, world-class venues and vibrant culture. We’re grateful for our partners at the Lakeshore Foundation and for our shared commitment to the unifying spirit of sport—bringing people together across borders and abilities.”
_{Dan Williams, President & CEO, Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau}

👉 Get the schedule of events for the Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger here.

Lakeshore Foundation, home to Boccia United States

Lakeshore Foundation is an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site and the home to three Paralympic teams: USA Wheelchair Rugby, USA Para Powerlifting and Boccia United States.

Boccia United States 2026 National Team + their hometowns:

• Nick Taylor of Wichita, Kansas
• Cassie Mitchell of Warner, Oklahoma
• Kalvin Blauert of Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Tony Blauert, ramp operator, of Colorado Springs, Colorado

Beyond the national team, eight additional players will also represent the U.S. in the Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger.

👉 See the full list of U.S. competitors in the event + how you can support the team here.

What to expect when you visit Lakeshore Foundation

Each month, the Lakeshore Foundation campus attracts 13,000 visitors and serves more than 5,100 members, including people with physical disabilities, seniors, veterans and their household family members, with many competitive athletes among them.

Visiting to cheer on our U.S. athletes during the World Boccia Challenger is a prime opportunity to check out all that members experience there.

Some highlights:

• An indoor Aquatics Center
• A 6,000-square-foot Fitness Center
• A Fieldhouse with three gym courts
• An archery + marksmanship range
• The Regions Climbing Wall

“Lakeshore’s selection to host an international event on our home soil gives us an opportunity to highlight the outstanding facilities at Lakeshore, and it gives us a great opportunity to work with city leaders to show off Birmingham as a vibrant and accessible host city.”
_{Jen Allred, Chief Program Officer, Lakeshore Foundation}

Visit Lakeshore.org to learn more about who qualifies for membership + how to apply.