Columbia and University of Missouri to host 2025 NCAA DI cross country championship

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Convention Visitors Bureau, Columbia Sports Commission and the University of Missouri has been awarded the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross Country National Championships.

The event will bring over 500 athletes to compete on the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.

“The University of Missouri and Mizzou Athletics are thrilled to partner with the City of Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Columbia Sports Commission to bring the 2025 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships to our community and the world-class Gans Creek Cross Country Course,” said Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. “While Mizzou has successfully hosted several NCAA Regional championship events over the years, this marks the first time Columbia has been selected to host an NCAA Championship, and I know that we will work with the city officials to make it a special event for all of the participants.

“When we came together with the City to build Gans Creek, our vision was to host the NCAA Championships as well as other events of this stature, and we are thrilled that it has happened so quickly. We enjoy a great relationship with the City, and look forward to working with it to bring more events like this to Columbia for our community.”

Amy Schneider, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, emphasized how important events like the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships are to the local economy.

“Tourism is one of our community’s most vital industries and it has been hit exceptionally hard this year,” Schneider said. “This event will bring thousands of people to our destination to stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores. These contributions to our local economy support local businesses and jobs here in Columbia.”