USA BMX and Visit Austin have announced a five-year partnership that will see the Texas Nationals hosted at Capital City BMX in nearby Pflugerville for the next five years, with the first national race slated for October 2024.
“The Austin Sports Commission is proud to welcome the USA BMX Texas Nationals, its competitors and fans to Austin,” said Drew Hays, director of the Austin Sports Commission. “The event is estimated to bring in $13 million in direct economic impact over the next five years to our community. Beyond that, we look forward to showing USA BMX competitors and fans why Austin is such a great city to compete in. From BBQ to live music, there will be no shortage of options for folks to enjoy while in town for the race.”
Capitol City BMX was built by and is owned by Travis County Parks. The BMX racing facility operates sanctioned practices, races and clinics. Travis County Parks regularly reinvests in Capitol City BMX for upgrades and amenities, including a significant reinvestment to prepare the track for an influx of visitors and riders coming for the Texas Nationals each year as part of the partnership with Visit Austin.
“Travis County Parks saw a need in the community for a best-in-class BMX facility that would bring the community together,” said BA Anderson, chief executive officer of USA BMX. “We see this kind of groundswell happening all over the country in areas that don’t yet have a safe place for people to ride and race together. With Austin being one of the most vibrant and dynamic destinations in the country, it’s so exciting for us to join forces with Visit Austin to provide nonstop thrills and adrenaline to everyone in eastern Travis County who wants to be part of a welcoming sports community.”
For the 2024 season, USA BMX will hold 29 events at sanctioned tracks across the country, beginning with the Sunshine State Nationals in Florida in January and concluding with the Grand Nationals in Oklahoma over Thanksgiving weekend. Each race draws riders, fans and spectators to the area.
“We hear all the time from folks in areas across the country without access to a track who desperately want one in their community,” Anderson said. “They realize the importance of these kinds of facilities that allow people to come together and have fun. We applaud parks and recreation departments and local governments across the country that see that vision and bring it to life.”