Dates, Location Announced for 2016 U.S. Open Championships & Convention

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Jan. 19, 2016) - Spectacular world-class beaches and coastal scenery. A thriving waterfront scene. Hundreds of miles of breathtaking, winding coastline. Right-off-the-boat fresh seafood. Lively and energetic nightlife.

These are just a few of the notable features that make the 2016 U.S. Open Ultimate Championships and Convention an attractive proposition for participants, their families and ultimate fans up and down the eastern seaboard.

USA Ultimate is proud to announce that the first leg of this year’s Triple Crown Tour will take place in South County, Rhode Island – one of the nation’s premier vacation destinations. The event will take place July 1-4 at the University of Rhode Island (URI) in Kingston and will take advantage of the university’s meeting facilities and meticulously maintained grass fields.

Come for one of the most competitive, international ultimate tournaments and networking and educational opportunities. Stay for a holiday.

Featuring an idyllic backdrop of sweeping, shimmering beaches bordered by wide-open blue ocean, sheltered bays of calm water, scenic roads through quaint shoreline villages and picture-perfect vistas, South County has something for everyone. Nearby coastal towns like Narragansett and Newport are just minutes away and boast a variety of saloons, bars and waterfront establishments featuring live music. Lighthouses and wineries dot the landscape. Or visit Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket – both within a 30-minute drive – or shoot over to Block Island on the ferry. The recreational and social opportunities that complement this year’s U.S. Open are seemingly endless.

The central New England location also means there are plenty of options available with regards to travel. TF Green Airport in Providence is just 23 miles away and features flights on discount carriers like Southwest and Jet Blue. Boston’s Logan Airport is just a 90-minute drive and features even more options, including direct service from a variety of domestic and international airports. Hartford’s Bradley airport presents a third option just 80 miles west. There’s even an Amtrak station just two miles from the competition venue at URI.

Accommodations will also be made available at a variety of price points. Athletes and convention attendees will have the option of staying on the URI campus in modern dormitories with full access to the all-you-can-eat dining hall. USA Ultimate will also organize discounted rates at area hotels through GameTime Travel. Or, for the full vacation experience, plenty of rental properties are available through VRBO or airbnb.

The event is again co-organized by USA Ultimate and the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), along with New England Ultimate, one of the national governing body’s new state-based organizations, and the Boston Ultimate Disc Association (BUDA).

ESPN returns as the tournament’s broadcast partner, once again providing 12 hours of live coverage of semifinals and championship games.

"I am thrilled that New England Ultimate, with the support and participation of the major local organization, BUDA, is able to partner with USA Ultimate to bring the 2016 U.S. Open Championships and Convention to Rhode Island," said Jonathan Levy, U.S. Open Tournament Director and Executive Director of New England Ultimate. "It will be a memorable event."

Launched in 2012, the U.S. Open features a four-day tournament and convention. The annual gathering of the international ultimate community serves to promote USA Ultimate’s mission of promoting character, community and competition, while providing interactive seminars, presentations and social events.

The New England region has long had a thriving and supportive ultimate community. Tournament Director Jonathan Levy is Massachusetts’ long-time state youth coordinator and has served as tournament director of the High School Northeastern Championships and Massachusetts High School State Championships.

The area is also home to several notable ultimate teams, including reigning women’s division national champions Boston Brute Squad, perennial national championship contenders Boston Ironside, Boston Wild Card and Boston Slow White, as well as Pro Flight team New York Metro North and Elite Flight teams New York 7Express and New York Bent. The region has also long been home to some of the most successful college and youth teams in the nation.



Cover photo: Joe Bar/Flickr

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