Ann Arbor to Host 2025 RowFest National Championships

Ann Arbor, Michigan, will host USRowing’s 2025 RowFest National Championships, which take places July 12­–20 in partnership with the Ann Arbor Sports Commission, Eastern Michigan University and Ypsilanti Township.

RowFest — one of the nation’s largest rowing community events — will be staged at The Rowing Course at Ford Lake. The regatta will include traditional racing formats for national championships for youth, under 17, under 23, open, and masters age groups, while also featuring sprints, relay races, cash prizes and other experiences.

“We are excited to host RowFest 2025 at the newly enhanced Rowing Course at Ford Lake, a facility that has been a part of our community for years but has recently undergone significant upgrades to become a championship-level rowing venue,” said Meaghan Hughes, director of the Ann Arbor Sports Commission. “This event is set to draw thousands of attendees from around the country, who will stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and contribute to the local economy.”

The newly developed Rowing Course at Ford Lake will host over 350 races. It features a semi-permanent buoyed 2,000-meter course, eight competition lanes and floating launch and recovery platforms. RowFest will gather the rowing community off the water as well, featuring Learn to Row events, college fairs, happy hours and educational classes for coaches.

“We’re thrilled to bring RowFest 2025 to the vibrant greater Ann Arbor community, and the new, innovative Rowing Course at Ford Lake,” said Sarah McAuliffe, USRowing director of competition. “This is one of the Midwest’s premiere rowing venues, and competing here will be a first for many of our rowing community. With close proximity to Detroit, an abundance of local activities and RowFest programming for our attendees, we expect to draw thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators from over 100 clubs to the eight-day event.”