Dates and locations for the 2016 USA Weightlifting American Open and 2017 USA Weightlifting American Open Final have been secured. This year, athletes will head to Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. Competition will occur from December 8 – 11, 2016. Next year, the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, will host the event from December 7 – 10, 2017.

This annual event, open to both U.S. and international citizens, attracted a world record 955 athletes last year. It will again feature a separate youth and junior division for ranking and record-breaking purposes.

The American Open, one of two major senior events hosted by USA Weightlifting each year, is the final chance to set a total for the year, including the opportunity for age group athletes to set an American Record. This year is the last time that the American Open will be a standalone event.

2017 marks the commencement of the American Open Series, which will still be the second prestige event on the USA Weightlifting calendar.

The Orlando World Center Marriott is the largest Marriott in the world and will accommodate the entire athlete population for the American Open. It is located close to the Orlando theme park district which features Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld and Disney World.

USA Weightlifting and the Central Florida Sports Commission will partner to offer discounted airport transfers from the nearby Orlando International Airport.

“We are delighted to welcome a national competition back to Florida and are excited to offer a great competition environment to our friends from all over the nation for this important annual meet," said Tyrone Harvey of host club, Team Florida Orlando.

The Anaheim Convention Center is adjacent to the Disneyland Resort and the host hotel, the Hilton Anaheim. The complex is in downtown Anaheim and close to both the Los Angeles International Airport and the Santa Ana John Wayne Airport.

“Southern California is looking forward to the return of the American Open in 2017. The American Open was previously held in Palm Springs in 2012, and we are delighted to once again host in our area after a five year absence,” said Sean Waxman, LWC President for the Southern California area.



USA Weightlifting is pleased to confirm that, for the third consecutive year, Eleiko Sport has agreed to be the official barbell of the American Open.



Qualifying totals and qualifying deadlines for 2016 can be found here.

Registration information and hotel reservation links will be posted on the USA Weightlifting website soon.



