2025–2026 USATF Cross Country Championships Headed to Portland

USA Track & Field and Nike announced that the Nike Cross Nationals will serve as host to the 2025–2026 USATF Cross Country Championships on December 6–7 in Portland, Oregon.

Hosted annually for nearly 20 years and the culmination of eight regional qualifying meets, NXN is a showcase competition for high school cross country stars. The event is set to get even bigger as U20, Masters and elite runners from across the nation converge on Portland’s Glendoveer Golf Course.

“We are thrilled to announce that the 2025-26 USATF Cross Country Championships will be held alongside Nike Cross Nationals,” said USATF Chief Executive Officer Max Siegel. “NXN has historically brought together some of the brightest young stars for a competitive environment like none other and with a home world championships on the horizon, we can’t wait to celebrate the talent and grit on display for two days of cross country competition.”

The 2025–2026 USATF Cross Country Championships will serve as a selection event for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, set to be held in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10, 2026. The event will include a 2-kilometer race which will serve as a selection for four athletes to represent the U.S. in the mixed 4×2 relay in Tallahassee.

The first day of competition at NXN will begin with the high school runners taking center stage followed by the elites, who will race for team qualification in the open 2-kilometer and 10-kilometer races. The U20 events will cap day one as they race for a Team USATF spot, and Masters will take the spotlight on the second day of racing.

In addition to national titles and team qualification, a $30,000 prize purse is on the line for the open races and $5,000 will go to the top Masters competitors.