US to Host Military World Games for the First Time Ever

Breaking history: The United States will host the Military World Games for the first time in 2027, with Charlotte, North Carolina, set to be the venue for this prestigious event. This marks a significant milestone for a nation that has long been an active supporter of international military sports.

The previous Military World Games in Wuhan, China, back in 2019, were followed closely by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the event in limbo for eight years. When the games return, they'll fit snugly between two other major sporting extravaganzas—the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—making the U.S. a true global hotspot for sports.

President Donald Trump, who helped secure the World Cup and Olympics during his first term, is credited for this achievement, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who greenlit the Military World Games for North Carolina. Eli Bremer, the event's co-chair, emphasized the alignment of military leadership with elite sports in the U.S., calling it a "tremendous opportunity" for attracting talented individuals to the military.

Bremer, a former Air Force Reserve major and Olympic pentathlete, shared his experiences of interacting with athletes from adversarial nations like Iran and North Korea during previous Military World Games, highlighting the event's potential to humanize opposing sides and ease geopolitical tensions. "It’s a chance for Americans to connect with other nations and show we’re real people," he noted.

The games are organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM), the world's second-largest multi-discipline sports organization after the International Olympic Committee. CISM President Nilton Romil of Brazil acknowledged the challenges of bringing the event to U.S. soil, from navigating security and diplomatic protocols to meeting infrastructure standards, but emphasized the symbolic importance of global peacekeeping. "Hosting the Games extends a clear message: the West is committed to global peace and unity through shared human values," Romil stated.

Interestingly, three of the last four Military World Games were hosted in BRICS nations, including China, Brazil, and India. By coming to the U.S., the event will be held in a G7 nation for the first time since Italy hosted in 2003—a notable shift in geopolitical symbolism.

For many American veterans and athletes, this milestone is deeply personal. Chad Senior, a former Olympian and Air Force special operations veteran, believes the games can foster positive interaction between militaries in a friendly sporting environment. "Any time militaries meet on the playing field instead of the battlefield, it’s a win," he said.

Former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who competed in the 1964 Olympics and served in the Air Force during the Korean War, celebrated the selection of Charlotte as the host city. "There’s a direct correlation between the discipline of elite athletes and elite fighting forces," Campbell remarked, underscoring how competition pushes both to greater heights.

The 2027 Military World Games promise to be a unique blend of sportsmanship, diplomacy, and national pride—a rare chance for the U.S. to showcase its leadership in fostering peaceful international engagement through athletics.