USA Track & Field and Nike have officially announced that Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) will host the 2025-26 USATF Cross Country Championships on December 6–7, 2025, at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon.
NXN, which has been the premier event for high school cross country athletes for nearly two decades, is traditionally the finale to eight regional qualifiers. This year, it expands its scope as it welcomes U20, Masters, and elite competitors from across the United States for a landmark weekend of racing.
“We are thrilled to announce that the 2025–26 USATF Cross Country Championships will be held alongside Nike Cross Nationals,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel.
“NXN has consistently showcased some of the nation’s top young talent in a highly competitive setting. With a home World Championships approaching. We’re excited to highlight the depth and determination of U.S. distance running across two days of racing.”
Selections Trials
This edition of the USATF Championships holds additional significance. It doubles as the selection meet for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. It will happen on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida. This will be the first time since 1992 that the event will be on American soil.
For the first time, a 2 km race will be featured at the USATF Championships. It will serve as a qualifier for four athletes to represent Team USA in the mixed 4×2 km relay in Tallahassee.
The schedule will open with high school athletes competing at NXN. The next will be elite athletes racing in open 2 km and 10 km events. They will be aiming for national team berths. The U20 division will close out the first day with their team trials. Masters competitors will take center stage on day two.
Alongside national titles and team spots, athletes will vie for a $30,000 prize purse in the open division and $5,000 for the top performers in the Masters races.
The shift in schedule comes in response to the early January date of the 2026 World Championships. It prompts USATF to advance its usual January trials to December. Thus , the designation as the 2025–26 USATF Cross Country Championships.
