Image: COURTESY OF NORTH NATOMAS AQUATI
Come to California for Fast Swimming and Iconic Destinations
Summer Nationals returns to beautiful Northern California for the first time in 46 years
The 2026 USMS Summer National Championship Aug. 5–9 in Sacramento, California, offers you the chance to swim fast and visit some iconic destinations.
The meet also offers swimmers a rare opportunity to race in Northern California. USMS hasn’t hosted a pool national championship in the area since the 2014 Spring National Championship in Santa Clara and a long course national championship there since 1980.
The 4-year-old North Natomas Aquatics Complex, part of a $40 million complex within the 220-acre North Natomas Regional Park, will serve as the site of the competition. This outdoor facility is also scheduled to host a TYR Pro Swim Series event in April.
The eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool varies in depth from 7 to 15 feet. A nine-lane, 25-yard pool (3 to 5 feet deep) will be available for warm-up and cool-down throughout the meet.
Spectator seating for about 500 will be available under a covered awning along the south side of the competition pool. A nearby grassy area will accommodate 20 10-by-10 canopy tents. An air-conditioned VIP area, as well as awards and registration tables, will be set up in the adjacent conference room building.
“Sacramento is proud to host the 2026 USMS Summer Nationals,” says Lisa Kaplan, council member for the City of Sacramento. “This swim meet will serve as a platform to showcase the vibrant community of North Natomas, highlighting its unique culture, hospitality, and commitment to city pride. August is the perfect time to enjoy the sun and all that the city has to offer. We invite swimmers to join us for the competition and stay to explore our region.”
Downtown Sacramento is only a five-minute drive from the pool. Taste, see, and savor the uniqueness of the city at farm-fresh restaurants, home-grown breweries, farmers markets, music festivals, sporting events, gold rush–era family attractions, or sunset along the Sacramento or American Rivers.
The North Natomas Aquatics Complex sits on the doorstep of some of Sacramento’s best dining. Grab a hearty breakfast or brunch at Bella Bru Cafe, enjoy riverside views and fresh seafood at Crawdads on the River, or taste authentic regional Chinese cuisine at Yue Huang Restaurant, Sacramento’s Michelin-rated dim sum spot. For something casual and flavorful, head to Taqueria Rincon Alteno for Mexican favorites or La Mini Birrieria for tasty birria tacos. For more Sacramento restaurant recommendations, visit visitsacramento.com/restaurants-and-drinks.
Swimmers and their families will find many intriguing places to explore. Learn about the 400 animals at the Sacramento Zoo, enjoy rides at Funderland, or step into storybook fun at Fairytale Town. Science buffs will want to explore the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. The whole family will enjoy the history and charm that the Old Sacramento Waterfront offers with its gold rush–era museums, local boutiques, and river cruises. Check out more of Sacramento’s offerings at visitsacramento.com/things-to-do.
Extend your trip with visits to nearby hotspots. Sacramento is a 90-minute to San Francisco (90 miles), a two-hour drive to Lake Tahoe (116 miles), and a three-hour drive from Yosemite National Park (148 miles).
Tower Bridge
Bacon and Butter
Bogle Family Vineyards
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Sacramento Skyline
