Onondaga County

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon today announced that
Onondaga County will serve as the Presenting Partner for the 2026 International Kettlebell
Marathon Federation (IKMF) World Championships. The County has committed $15,000 in
partnership funding to support the event, scheduled for May 22–24, 2026, at the Nicholas J.
Pirro Convention Center at The Oncenter in downtown Syracuse.

The 2026 championships mark the first time the IKMF World Championships will take
place in the United States, North America, or the Western Hemisphere.

“Onondaga County is proud to serve as the presenting partner for this historic international
championship,” said County Executive Ryan McMahon. “Hosting a world-class event of
this caliber reinforces Syracuse’s position as a premier destination for international sports
tourism. This partnership showcases our state-of-the-art Oncenter facilities while driving
meaningful activity for our local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.”

The event is expected to attract elite athletes, coaches, and officials from around the
world, including delegations from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Hungary, India, and
Poland. Multi-day travel and extended stays are projected to generate a conservative direct
economic impact of more than $430,000 through lodging, dining, transportation, and use
of Onondaga County’s premier venues.

“We’re thrilled to bring the IKMF World Championships to the United States for the first
time, and even more excited to host it here in Syracuse,” said Brent Morehouse, President
of the IKMF Syracuse 2026 Organizing Committee. “Onondaga County’s partnership
makes it possible for us to deliver a truly international-standard competition while creating
opportunities for the community to engage with the sport in new and meaningful ways.”

“This event is more than a championship—it’s an opportunity to build long-term
momentum for health, fitness, and international collaboration in Central New York,” said
Edmond Theobald, Director of Marketing, Public & Government Relations for IKMF
Syracuse 2026. “The support from Onondaga County allows us to welcome athletes from
across the globe and showcase everything that makes this region a world-class host.”

The 2026 IKMF World Championships are organized locally by Syracuse Kettlebell LLC,
operating as IKMF Syracuse 2026, in coordination with the International Kettlebell
Marathon Federation.

For event details, including schedules and community engagement opportunities,
visit www.IKMFSyracuse2026.com.

About IKMF Syracuse 2026
IKMF Syracuse 2026 is the Host City Organizing Committee for the 2026 IKMF World
Championships, operated by Syracuse Kettlebell LLC. The volunteer-led committee
manages event planning, logistics, sponsorship, and community engagement in
partnership with the International Kettlebell Marathon Federation.