High school track and field meets are sponsored by several brands, both indoor and outdoor. They are the newest championships Under Armor Outdoor Nationals, which will be held at IMG Academy, May 29-31, 2026.
RunBlogRun reached out to IMG, and IMG’s Senior Communications Manager Aleah Clemons put us in touch. TJ Lawson, IMG Assistant Technical Director, former NCAA Div. 1 athlete who works directly with UA on their championships.
1. Under Armor launches its UA Outdoor Nationals in partnership with IMG. Tell us about your encounter.
The inauguration Under Armor Track & Field Nationals will take place May 29-31, 2026 at IMG Academy in partnership with Under Armour. It is designed as a true national championship environment with a focus on elite competition, athlete experience and performance.
The meet will bring together many of the top high school and middle school athletes from the United States and internationally. We build the event around quality fields, deliberate planning and a championship atmosphere, rather than simply trying to create the biggest match possible.
Athletes will compete on IMG Academy’s brand new Rekortan G13 track with elite-level field event venues, a dedicated warm-up area, integrated Wavelight speed technology and a newly constructed throwing complex. We want this meet to feel professional from the moment the athletes arrive on campus.
2. How will the UA event differ from Nike and New Balance?
What makes this event different is the general environment and the philosophy behind it.
We are not trying to repeat another national meeting. The goal is to create a premier performance championship where every operational detail is designed to help athletes compete at their highest level. That includes smaller and more deliberate field sizes, schedule management, warm-up access, speed technology and facility layout decisions that prioritize performance.
Another difference is the location itself. IMG Academy operates as a year-round elite sports campus, so athletes compete in a true high-performance training environment.
We also combine high school championship competition with enhanced presentation elements, including professional racing, an enhanced athlete experience, brand activations from partners such as; Under the armor and: Gill Athleticsand a major focus on stories and athlete recognition.
The goal is to leave the athletes feeling like they’ve competed on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
3. Tell us about IMG Academy and its commitment?
IMG Academy has made a major investment in athletics over the past few years. That includes new features, expanded coaching resources and creating a true destination for elite athletes.
The campus now features a brand new Rekortan surface, constant Wavelight speed technology, expanded jumping areas, multiple pole vault pits and a brand new throwing complex with a Rekortan javelin runway and championship level Gill cages and equipment.
Beyond the facilities, IMG Academy is committed to holistically developing athletes through support in coaching, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, nutrition, academics and sports science.
Track and Field is growing rapidly at the IMG Academy, and this national championship is another important step to demonstrate the level of commitment to the sport.
4. Do athletes live full-time at IMG Academy?
Many IMG Academy student-athletes live on campus full-time as boarding students while training and attending school. IMG Academy brings together academics, athletics, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, nutrition and mental performance in one integrated environment. Athletes can train year-round while receiving a well-rounded educational experience.
In addition to our boarding school program, we also offer year-round camps and a variety of online products and services so student-athletes can continue to develop wherever they are. This includes IMG Academy+ for 1-on-1 and group coaching in areas such as mental performance and nutrition. IMG Academy Essentials on-demand courses and training videos, and NCSA college recruiting services to help connect student-athletes with college opportunities.
5. Does IMG have track and field athletes from around the world training at the IMG Academy?
Absolutely. The IMG Academy attracts athletes from across the United States and around the world.
Our track and field program includes athletes from many countries who compete in sprints, distance, jumps, throws, hurdles and combined events. That international presence creates a very unique training environment where athletes are exposed to different coaching styles, cultures and levels of competition on a daily basis.
6. What races are you excited for at the UA Outdoor Nationals?
There are several events that we are extremely excited about.
It Saturday night’s 800m showcase it is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the entire match. We will have elite high school races alongside the professional men’s and women’s 800 meters, featuring internationally accomplished athletes competing for prize money under the lights.
On the high school side, we are excited about athletes like this Joshua Cooper, who currently owns one of the country’s top 800 million times, as well as stars such as Blake Hamilton, who has already clocked 19.90 in the 200m this season. We are also happy to welcome you Doggett Sisters, including Melanie Doggett, one of the top sprint names in the country right now.
Fans of another athlete should take note Camryn Daly, who is widely regarded as the best young female sprinter in the world. His performances this year have been incredible, and the level of young talent competing in that meet speaks to the caliber of athletes coming to Bradenton.
The steeplechase events are also loaded with talent and we expect some incredibly competitive sprint races across the board. In field events, i boys’ pole vault and throws competition could be among the best assembled fields in the country this year.
7. Do the athletes register for the event or does IMG select the fields?
We use a standards system with automatic qualification marks and minimum standards. Athletes who meet the automatic standard are guaranteed entry once they are approved and accepted. Athletes between the minimum and automatic standards can still enter and potentially be accepted through our descending order process as we build the fields.
That approach allows us to maintain competitive and appropriately sized championship fields while giving emerging athletes the opportunity to earn their way to the meet.
8. Where should coaches and athletes go for more information?
All meeting information including registration details, standards, timetables, facility information and updates can be found here:
