09/03/2026
EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park To Host the Nation’s Top BMX Racers for USA BMX Derby City Nationals Sept. 4-6
Three-day event will welcome thousands of racers, families and visitors to Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - EP "Tom" Sawyer State Park will host the 2026 USA BMX Derby City Nationals on Sept. 4-6, bringing the nation’s top BMX professional racers, amateur competitors and families from across the country to the commonwealth.
“Team Kentucky is excited to welcome athletes, their families and fans to our commonwealth this Labor Day weekend,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We appreciate the longstanding partnership with USA BMX and are proud they continue to choose Louisville as a host city. We encourage everyone visiting the Derby City Nationals to enjoy the competition and explore our local businesses and unique attractions to see what makes Kentucky so special.”
The Derby City Nationals have been a signature Labor Day weekend event in Louisville for more than 40 years. Racing for the free three-day event begins at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday. Parking is $10 per day.
“This year has been one of the most exciting at Derby City BMX,” said Joel Pena, track operator of Derby City BMX. “We've spent the summer introducing many new riders and families to the sport, helping them build confidence and learn the fundamentals of BMX racing. Seeing those kids line up on the gate for their first National race and realizing they belong there alongside riders from all over the country is incredibly rewarding.”
“Kentucky State Parks is excited to welcome back Derby City BMX, racers and guests to EP ‘Tom’ Sawyer State Park for an exciting weekend of competition,” said Kentucky State Parks Interim Commissioner Mark Kellen. “This event highlights the recreational opportunities available at our state parks, and we are proud to provide a venue for USA BMX.”
The event marks the 25th stop of the 2026 USA BMX National Series and the seventh stop of the 2026 USA BMX Pro Series.
Friday’s professional racing will feature a high-stakes UCI C1 event, an international-level competition that awards points toward Olympic qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games, marking the first event in the United States within the 2028 Olympic Ranking and Qualifying window. Professional athletes will compete for USA BMX Pro Series points, prize money and international ranking points as they begin the road toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The USA BMX Pro Series continues Saturday and Sunday, with the season entering a critical stretch with just three Pro Series stops remaining. Riders will be competing for valuable championship points as they work toward the 2026 series titles.
To learn more about the Derby City Nationals, schedules and more, please visit: https://admin.usabmx.com/assets/8b74365b-9036-4d2e-ae00-d54b17e08b23
Stretching across 554 acres in Louisville, EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park contains some of the best indoor and outdoor recreation facilities in Kentucky. Visitors can enjoy the pool and splash pads, the dog park, the archery range, a full-court outdoor basketball court, an indoor activities gymnasium, a BMX track, a community garden, hiking trails, 16 pickleball courts, a playground, picnic shelters, 14 soccer fields, six outdoor tennis courts and more.
Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov.
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About USA BMX
Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots.
