Welcome to the Information Page for the
2026 USA Boccia National Championships
The USA Boccia Tournament Planning Team and the USA Boccia Board
invite you to this wonderful celebration of the incredible sport of BOCCIA ! Continue reading about the BIG CHANGES in divisions and about this year’s prizes!
Where
All Events and Activities are held at
Iowa West Fieldhouse
5 Arena Way
Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51501
Entry into the venue:
There are six (6) doors under the large
FIELD HOUSE sign located on the southwest
side of the building
When
July 29-Aug 2, 2026
Registration opens April 15, 2026 and closes July 1, 2026
Read the Information Packet below under important links* before registering.
When you are ready to register, be prepared to answer these questions:
- Who is your Coach
- Who is your Team Leader
- If you use a ramp, who is your Ramp Operator?
- If you have a BC1 classification, who is your Sport Assistant?
- Boccia Division (I need classification/Assessment, BC1-BC6, N/A)
- Transportation
- Click yes and attend Wednesday’s Social Event
- Be sure to read and confirm your acceptance of the USA Boccia waiver.
- Be ready to make your payment
Important LINKS:
*Downloadable Information Packet need a link want it downloadable
:Get your Membership Club | USA Boccia Membership | Bay Shore, NY
Then secure your tournament registration 2026 USA Boccia National Championships | Council Bluffs, IA | 07/29/2026
Tournament Structure Manual link coming soon
Competition Schedule link coming July 29
Head Referee Letter link coming July 1
Classification forms link Classification Forms – USA Boccia
ZOOM Informational Meeting July29 7pm link coming soon
Registration Fees
Categories
Athlete – $360
Coach, Team Leader, Ramp Operator, Sport Assistant – $75.00
Refund Policy:
- An 85% refund (of registration fee only) prior to July 1.
- There will be NO refunds after July 2.
- All of our event expenses have already been incurred and contracted.
If a verifiable medical situation occurs, at the discretion of the Tournament, a prorated refund of the registration fee MAY occur up to 50% upon a written petition to the National Office.
Game Schedule Communication
Before the start of the competition you will receive a link to the game schedule. This schedule link will also be posted on usaboccia.org .There will also be QR codes throughout the venue to access the schedule. Tournament updates will also be posted on usaboccia.org.
Informational Zoom Meeting
An informational meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 29th, through Zoom.
This meeting is open to coaches, athletes, and anyone wanting information about the tournament.
A Zoom Link for the Informational Meeting will be posted on the USA Boccia website.
Pairs/Team Competition
The team and pairs competition will be held after the individual competition. The format of the team/pair will be based on the number of teams/pairs we have and the timeframe available. We will guarantee two games, and medals will be awarded.
To register your team/pair, please pick up a form from the call room and return the form to the call room by noon on Friday, July 31st. The schedule will be completed by the end of Friday’s competition.
Rules
We will follow the current World Boccia International Boccia Rules 2025-2028 – v.1.1, found on this link
World Boccia Rules 2025-2028 v1.1
BISFed World Boccia licensed balls are NOT required. However the balls must weigh and measure according to the rules.
The Individual Competition is combined for male and female athletes and the male/female rule is NOT required for Pairs and Team.. More rule info will be in the Head Referee Letter.
Arrival Day Schedule
Wednesday, July 29th
Registrant Check-in: packet and T-shirt pickup 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
*If you are delayed and cannot make registration call (757) 652-9123
Informal practice times on any available court 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Classification and Assessment 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Equipment Checks (Call Room Area): 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Social Event 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Zoom Informational Meeting 7:00 pm
Tournament Schedule Iowa West Field House opens each tournament day at 7:30 am
Thursday July 30th
Individual Competition 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (tentative)
Friday, July 31st
Individual Competition 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (tentative)
Saturday, August 1st
Individual Competition 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (tentative)
Awards (Individual) After Competition
Pairs & Team Competition 1:30 – 7:00 pm (tentative)
Sunday, August 2nd
Pairs & Team Competition 9:00 am – 2 pm (tentative)
Awards for Pairs & Team After Competition
Classification
Who Needs to Be Classified?
Classification is required for:
- All new athletes attending Nationals
- Any athlete who does not have a Confirmed status and is currently in Review
Classification is a procedure in which medical and technical classifiers assess an athlete’s physical function and place them into a sport class: BC1, BC2, BC3, or BC4, which are the Paralympic classes for boccia.
If an athlete receives a “NE” (Not Eligible) designation for these classes, the athlete will then meet with the USA Boccia Assessment Team, which will place them into the BC5 or BC6 (Open Division).
Classification Schedule
All classifications will take place:
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Iowa West Field House
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Upon arriving at the tournament venue, follow the signs for Classification. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
If you receive an NE from the classification team, please follow the signs to the Assessment Team Room.
Athletes should bring a paper copy of their Authorization and Diagnosis forms
How Do I Sign Up for Classification?
Please complete both the Authorization Form and the Diagnosis Form found HERE
Forms must be submitted NO LATER than Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
- Scan both forms into one single PDF.
- Email the PDF to Dr. Kathy Brinker at kathyb@bocciaunitedstates.org
- In your email, please include your availability window for classification on Wednesday, July 29 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Example: “I am available between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.”. We will do our best to accommodate your requested time.
What Happens Next?
Once your email is received, you will receive a confirmation email from Kathy Brinker confirming your classification time and additional instructions.
Please bring all equipment used during competition to classification, including:
- Wheelchair
- Ramp (if applicable)
- Balls
- Straps
- Containers that hold balls
- Head pointer or assistive device (if applicable)
- Scooter or other mobility equipment
Any questions regarding classification should be directed to Dr. Kathy Brinker, High Performance Consultant to Boccia United States, at kathyb@bocciaunitedstates.org
Storage
Athletes will be able to store competition equipment on site for the duration of their competition.
First Aid Station
First aid will be available at the venue.
The following medical facilities are near the venue
Urgent Care Facilities
Urgent Care Center
1720 N 16th St Suite F, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
902 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Hospitals
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs
Address: 800 Mercy Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: (712) 328-5000
Hours: Open 24/7 for emergency and full hospital services
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
Highlights: Full-service hospital with a broad healthcare team and community partnerships.
Offers emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and specialized care
Address: 933 E Pierce St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: (712) 396-6000
Host Hotels
This year USA Boccia is working with SportStays, a free team hotel reservation service that specializes in Tournament and Sports Team Travel. You will only receive a discount on your room reservation(s) if you book directly through the Sport-Stays portal. Most affiliated hotels provide a free breakfast. When you make your reservation, all available ADA rooms, adjoining rooms, and standard rooms will be listed for each hotel. Just book the room that best fits your needs – no need to call the hotel. If you need further assistance you can email reservations@sport-stay.com or call (or text) 480 420 9449
NOTE: The hotel portal and the reduced room reservation cost is active ONLY until JULY 14, 2026. You must make your hotel reservation before that date to receive a discount. Please book early.
Booking your hotel through this LINK: https://presto.eventpipe.com/event/d044d302-93fe-46fe-a3cf-9de5b02de34d
The hotels listed below are approved for a discount during the 2026 USA Boccia Nationals. NOTE: If you require transportation, you must stay at one of the first five (5) hotels.
The Hampton Inn and Suites is NOT included in our transportation schedule.
Courtyard by Marriott
2501 Bass Pro Drive
Council Bluffs, IA
*The Courtyard does not provide a free breakfast. However, there is a Bistro on site where you can purchase food and beverages.
Springhill Suites by Marriott Omaha East / Council Bluffs
3216 Plaza View Dr.
Council Bluffs, IA
Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Council Bluffs
17 Arena Way
Council Bluffs, IA
Holiday Inn & Suites Council Bluffs I29
2202 River Road
Council Bluffs, IA
Microtell Inn and Suites by Wyndham Council Bluffs / Omaha
2141 S. 36th Street
Transportation WILL NOT be provided to this hotel. There is a $15 per night parking fee
*Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown
1212 Cuming St
Omaha, NE
Transportation
If you require transportation you must indicate what type of transportation on your registration form. If you (and anyone traveling with you) need a ride to and from the airport to the hotel, or daily from one of the preferred hotels to the venue and back, the cost is $50.00 per person. You MUST be registered at one of the preferred hotels listed below. If you did not register for transportation and find out at a later date you need transportation, you must contact Becky Prince by July 20th at beckyp@wdsra.com.
Transportation Schedule to/from Airport—If you have not done so, you must email Becky Prince your flight information (airline, flight number, day and time of arrival and departure). Once she receives this information, she will correspond with you regarding your pick-up and return to the airport.
Transportation Schedule from Hotel to Venue
If you use transportation to and from the venue, your schedule will be sent the night before competition day. We will only run shuttles in the morning to get athletes to the venue and then in the evening. We will not be providing rides outside of the schedule. The schedule is also created to ensure athletes with the first round of games are transported first. Athletes will not be allowed to ride the shuttle outside of their scheduled time. Becky Prince will email the transportation schedule from beckyp@wdsra.com, which will also be posted at the venue.
If you require transportation, you MUST stay at one of these preferred hotels.
Courtyard by Marriott
Springhill Suites by Marriott Council Bluffs
Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Council Bluffs
Holiday Inn and Suites Council Bluffs I29
Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham Council Bluffs / Omaha
Volunteers
We always need volunteers, we hope you have the opportunity to volunteer at the 2026 USAS Boccia National Championships. Please click on the link below to sign in to our online Volunteer Registration form.
Contact
For any questions or additional information, please contact USA Boccia via email at usaboccia@gmail.com or by calling (631) 388-6164
A BIG THANK YOU to our Sponsors
