Spartanburg county chosen as host for 2026 NCAA Division I and Division II Cross-Country Regionals

The NCAA has named Spartanburg as a host site for the 2026 Division I and Division II Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Regionals.

Both events will be held at the Milliken Arboretum in November 2026.

“Spartanburg is ready to welcome back NCAA Cross-Country in 2026, and excited to again showcase the hotels, restaurants, and outdoor amenities that make Spartanburg a great place to visit and to relocate,” said OneSpartanburg, Inc. Chief Tourism Officer Billy Dunlap. “Our team is excited to work to make the experience first-class for the athletes, coaches, and families who come to our community for this prestigious event.”

The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Regionals will be hosted by OneSpartanburg, Inc. and the University of South Carolina Upstate.

Spartanburg joins other regional hosts like Florida State University, Michigan State University, and Texas A&M University.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with OneSpartanburg, Inc. and Milliken as the host institution for the 2026 NCAA Southeast Cross Country Regionals. We were fortunate to host DI Regionals in 2023, which was a wonderful experience, and to be selected once again shows that the NCAA and the cross-country community are as excited as we are about bringing this event back to Spartanburg,” said Matt Martin, USC Upstate Athletics Director and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics.

“We are excited to host the DI regional meet again. We had great feedback from last fall and look to make 2026 event better, said Carson Blackwelder, USC Upstate cross-country coach.

The 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Regionals will be hosted by OneSpartanburg, Inc. and Converse University.

Spartanburg joins other regional hosts like the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

“Converse is proud to be selected as the host institution for the 2026 NCAA DII Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Regional, and we are thrilled to be part of such an important event in the student-athlete experience,” said Jenn Bell, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Converse. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with One Spartanburg, Inc. for the championships and commend the Vice President of Sports Development, John Mark Freeze, for his efforts in bringing this level of collegiate competition to Spartanburg. We look forward to welcoming our fellow NCAA DII institutions to the greater Spartanburg area, and having them enjoy the beautiful cross-country course at Milliken Arboretum along with the warmth and hospitality of Converse and our surrounding community members.”

“We are excited to continue bringing NCAA postseason competitions to Spartanburg and take pride in attaching the Converse Cross-Country name to such events,” said Mark Rennix, Converse cross-country coach.

 

About OneSpartanburg, Inc

Our mission is to build a vibrant Spartanburg through business, economic and tourism development. Our collaborative organization was formed by merging the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Spartanburg Economic Futures Group in order to maximize our community’s investment.

About USC Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate is a regional comprehensive university offering more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, nursing, and education. Located along the I-85 corridor in Spartanburg between Greenville and Charlotte, USC Upstate is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 1 among Top Public Schools in the South. It serves as a major talent producer for the region, with more than 6,000 students, approximately 1,300 new graduates a year, and nearly 30,000 alumni, many of whom live and work in the state. The USC Upstate Spartans compete in 15 NCAA Division 1 sports as a member of the Big South Conference. For more information, visit www.uscupstate.edu.

About Converse University

Converse University empowers students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly. Converse was founded in 1889 by citizens of Spartanburg, SC, who aimed to create an educational experience for women, and in fall 2020 it welcomed its first undergraduate co-educational incoming class. The University encompasses the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Data Science, the School of the Arts, The School of Education, The Graduate School, and the Converse College for Women. Converse students experience deep scholarship, transformative mentorship, experiential learning, and wonderful support for and belief in each other. Through this unique formula, Converse is a creator of opportunity for its students through a personalized education that also includes the professional and technical skills graduates need to be successful in their careers. For more information, visit www.converse.edu.

About Milliken

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, specialty chemical, flooring and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations.