As athletes set their sights on the 2028 Olympic Games, Indiana will once again play an important role on the road to Los Angeles.

In August 2027, the nation's top archers will gather at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield for several prestigious competitions, including the national championships and the opening stages of qualification for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team.

These events represent another milestone for Westfield, Hamilton County, highlighting how Indiana's network of sports facilities, experienced event organizers and regional partnerships, continues to attract high-level competition. It's also an example of the statewide collaboration helping advance Indiana Sports Corp's 2050 Vision.

A National Stage for USA Archery
USA Archery, in partnership with Hamilton County Sports Authority, selected Westfield to host the 143rd USA Archery Target Nationals, the 2027 U.S. Open and the United States Archery Team (USAT) Series Final.

The competitions will also include the first two stages of qualification for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team, providing athletes with an opportunity to advance toward representing Team USA in Los Angeles.

The timing is particularly significant for the sport. Compound archery will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games. Among those planning to compete in Westfield is Matt Stutzman, a gold medalist at the 2024 Paralympic Games who hopes to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic compound team.

"Our Target Nationals and U.S. Open are among the biggest events on the calendar," said USA Archery Interim CEO Mary Emmons in announcing the competitions.

Driving Sports Growth Beyond Indianapolis
Westfield's selection reflects years of investment in facilities and partnerships that have established Hamilton County and other regional partners as a destination for sports.

For years, Hamilton County Sports Authority (HCSA) has played an important role in expanding Indiana's sports landscape beyond Indianapolis in the northern suburbs, helping transform Hamilton County into a nationally recognized destination for championship-level competition.

The Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus has become one of those nationally recognized venues for youth and amateur athletics, hosting tournaments and championships across numerous sports. Adding USA Archery's national competitions and Olympic qualification events further expands the range of events the facility can accommodate.

HCSA's approach demonstrates the importance of regional sports authorities in advancing statewide initiatives. By working collaboratively with Indiana Sports Corp, state and local government partners, venue operators and national governing bodies, HCSA is helping strengthen Indiana's overall competitiveness in the sports tourism industry.

"Hamilton County is built for championship competition," said Hamilton County Tourism President and CEO Karen Radcliff.

Establishing Indiana as a National Archery Destination
While Westfield will take center stage for the 2027 National Target Championships and U.S. Open and the 2028 Olympic qualification events, the growth of competitive archery is well beyond a single venue or community.

Noblesville's Koteewi Archery Range has also established itself as a destination for national-level competition, hosting the USA Archery Field Nationals and USA Archery 3D Nationals. As well, Evansville has shot a bullseye with their selection as the 2027 USA Archery Nationals – Indiana. These events complement each other and demonstrate the breadth of archery disciplines that Indiana can accommodate.

Together, the events in Westfield, Noblesville, and Evansville showcase the state’s unique ability to host multiple national championships across different archery disciplines, leveraging specialized facilities, experienced local partners and a coordinated approach to event recruitment.

A Statewide Vision Taking Shape
The success of Indiana's sports industry has long been built on attracting major events, developing quality facilities and bringing organizations together around shared opportunities.

Those strengths are central to Indiana Sports Corp's 2050 Vision, a 25-year statewide strategy to make Indiana "the global epicenter of sports." Its Sports Events pillar focuses on hosting world-class competitions and strengthening Indiana's position as a premier sports destination.

With Indianapolis also preparing to host the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana's Olympic connections will continue to grow in the lead-up to Los Angeles.

Each event offers an opportunity to showcase Indiana's capabilities, welcome visitors and strengthen relationships that can attract future competitions.

For Westfield and Hamilton County, the arrival of USA Archery's national championships and Olympic Qualifying stages, represents another achievement in its development as a sports destination. For Indiana, it's another example of how regional success can contribute to a larger statewide ambition.

Learn more about USA Archery's upcoming competitions in Westfield and explore how Indiana Sports Corp's 2050 Vision is shaping the future of sports across the state.