Columbia to host 2025 national cross country championships; city council set to approve final agreement tonight

Look for Columbia’s city council tonight (Monday) to vote to authorize an agreement with the NCAA for Columbia to host the 2025 NCAA Division 1 men’s and women’s cross country national championships.

Tonight’s vote is a formality, because the bid was awarded in October 2020.

The event will take place in November 2025 at Gans Creek cross country course. Gans Creek hosted the 2021 NCAA’s SEC championship.

The city council’s packet says the event will bring more than 500 athletes to compete and will bring in thousands of spectators to stay in Columbia hotels, dine in the restaurants and shop in stores.

It’s the first time Columbia has been selected to host an NCAA national championship.