Birmingham to host first U.S. boccia international event since 2017

By AI, Created 6:35 PM UTC, May 21, 2026, /AGP/ – Lakeshore Foundation will bring the Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger to Homewood, Alabama, from June 16-23, marking the first international boccia event in the U.S. since 2017. The event matters because athletes will compete for rankings, classification and a possible path to the 2028 Paralympic Games.

Why it matters: - The Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger gives U.S. boccia a rare home-soil showcase at a key point on the road to the LA28 Paralympic Games. - Athletes will use the event to improve international rankings and secure sport classification, which is required to keep a pathway to the 2028 Paralympics open. - The competition also aims to raise domestic interest in boccia, a Paralympic sport that remains relatively small in the United States.

What happened: - Lakeshore Foundation will host the Birmingham 2026 World Boccia Challenger from June 16-23, 2026, in Homewood, Alabama. - The tournament will bring nearly 70 athletes from 13 countries to the Birmingham area. - South Korea, Brazil and Mexico are among the countries expected to compete. - The event is the first international boccia competition in the United States since a World Boccia event in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2017.

The details: - Lakeshore Foundation also serves as the home of Boccia United States through the Lakeshore National Adapted Sport Organization. - The challenger format gives athletes a chance to earn ranking points and sport classification needed for future Paralympic eligibility. - Kathy Brinker, high performance manager for Boccia United States, said the Birmingham stop is a critical part of the road to LA28 and a proving ground for athletes chasing national team spots. - Brinker said spectators will see five days of precision, strategy and close finishes, with top-ranked athletes competing alongside emerging players. - The event is open to the public with free admission. - More information is available at the event page.

Between the lines: - The Birmingham host site gives the U.S. a chance to build momentum in a sport that has stronger international visibility than domestic reach. - The bid win also reinforces Lakeshore Foundation’s role as a central hub for U.S. adaptive sports and Paralympic development. - John D. Kemp, president and CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, said the organization is proud to welcome 13 other nations and support the U.S. delegation at home.

What’s next: - Athletes will compete in June as teams finalize rankings and classification before the LA28 cycle advances. - The event may also serve as a catalyst for broader U.S. awareness and participation in boccia ahead of the next Paralympic Games. - Lakeshore Foundation is expected to use the tournament to highlight its broader adaptive sports mission and national training role.

The bottom line: - Birmingham’s hosting of the World Boccia Challenger marks a long-awaited U.S. return for international boccia and a meaningful step in the LA28 qualification path.