Grand Rapids Prepares to Host 2025 Hartford Nationals

The Hartford Nationals, the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or intellectual disability, is approaching in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with competition running from July 11–17.

A first for the city and only the second time in Michigan, the competition — conducted by Move United — will be hosted by the West Michigan Sports Commission and Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. The event will create an estimated economic impact of more than $2 million in direct visitor spending.

“It’s an honor for the region and state to host The Hartford Nationals in Michigan and we are excited to showcase our many athletic venues, including our state-of-the-art Mary Free Bed YMCA, as competition sites for this prestigious event,” said West Michigan Sports Commission President Mike Guswiler. “Our organization is no stranger to Olympic-style sporting events, regularly hosting the Meijer State Games of Michigan plus the USA Masters Games, State Games of America and Transplant Games of America in the past.”

Athletes competing must have qualified through one of more than 35 sanctioned competitions that took place across the country throughout the Move United member network, a national governing body, or High School Athletic Association sanctioned event. In 2024, 397 athletes with disabilities and over 150 coaches from 34 states participated, with those numbers expected to increase this year.

New to the competition lineup this year is boccia. Other contested sports include archery, para powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field and wheelchair and para standing tennis. In addition to the competitions taking place, clinics and educational sessions will include sports such as sitting volleyball, adaptive judo, para pickleball, wheelchair softball and tennis. The event will also include numerous Paralympic medalists participating in activities throughout the week.

“This national competition has been a stepping stone for many athletes to progress and compete at an international level, including the Paralympic Games,” said Move United Chief Executive Officer Glenn Merry. “In fact, 62 percent of the athletes that represented Team USA at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris either competed at this event or participated in another Move United program or event.”

During the event, The Hartford — joined by Paralympic gold medalist and wheelchair basketball player Matt Scott — will surprise a group of four athletes with custom-fit adaptive sports equipment. In addition, one athlete, nominated by their peers, will receive The Hartford’s Human Achievement Award, which includes a $2,500 grant to support the recipient’s training and travel as they pursue their athletic goals.