International hot air balloon competition returns to U.S., headed to SW Michigan

Sports

Mar 20

Written By Staff

The 8th FAI North American Hot Air Balloon Championship will take place August 17–22, 2027, in Richland. Located at Gull Meadow Farms, 8544 Gull Rd., the competition brings elite pilots from across North America to Southwest Michigan for a rare international competition.

Hosted by West Michigan Balloon Events and Event Director Derrick Jones, the championship will be held in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of the Kalamazoo Balloon Fest, combining high-level competition with a well-established community event.

This marks the first time the championship has been held in the United States since 1993, making its return a significant milestone for competitive ballooning in North America. The event is expected to feature approximately 55 hot-air balloons, including top-ranked pilots from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Kalamazoo was selected as the host city following a competitive international bid process at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Plenary Meeting held February 5–8, 2026, in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. The global sanctioning body selected Kalamazoo in recognition of the region’s strong ballooning legacy and the proven leadership of Jones and his team.

Kalamazoo’s connection to competitive ballooning dates back more than six decades. In August 1963, the city hosted the first U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce. The 2027 event marks a return of international competition to a region with deep roots in the sport.

“This is more than a championship — it’s a historic homecoming for ballooning in the United States,” said Jones. “To bring this event to Kalamazoo during the 2027 15th anniversary of the Kalamazoo Balloon Fest makes it even more meaningful and special for our community.”

The week-long championship will include a series of competitive flight tasks for top-ranked pilots, alongside the festival atmosphere that has made the Kalamazoo Balloon Fest a signature summer event in Southwest Michigan. Additional event details, sponsorship opportunities and community engagement plans will be announced in the coming months.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners