Charlotte To Host 2027 Military World Games With Over 10,000 Athletes From 140 Countries

Officials from around the world toured Charlotte sites recently, preparing for the 2027 Military World Games. Over 10,000 athletes from 140 nations will descend on the Carolinas.

More than two dozen people examined locations across the Queen City. Roberto Recchia traveled from Brussels to inspect potential venues.

"This is the perfect place," Recchia told Channel 9's Miana Massey. "Especially in this moment, we need this kind of event to bring people together."

The 2027 Military World Summer Games will mark the eighth time this event has occurred since 1995. Never before has the competition landed on American soil.

Competitors will participate in everything from traditional Olympic sports to military-specific contests. Taekwondo, archery, and soccer are among them.

Jeremiah Shirk, one of the organizers behind the 2027 Military World Games, said the work is just getting started. "We're just now getting the foundational pieces in place to get that started," Shirk said. "Part of the work is having the civism, leadership, and the respective presidents of the international federations here from each of the sports to check out the world class venues in the Carolinas."

Leaders say these games mean more than medals and records. Recchia described the event as "the friendship of sport, to bring military people to compete on the sports field instead of on the battlefield."

Recchia said he experienced warm hospitality during his visit. "I can feel the friendship of the people here," Recchia added.

Shirk said organizers will collaborate to make the Military Games exceptional. Tuesday's visit marked a major step.

Competition begins June 25, 2027, and runs through July 4, 2027.