Courtesy: USA Water Polo
IRVINE, Calif. – USA Water Polo is proud to partner with Indiana Sports Corp in announcing that Indianapolis, Ind. has been selected as the host city for the 2020 FINA Men’s & Women’s Intercontinental Tournament. The IU Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI will serve as the host venue from April 28 through May 3, 2020. Previously the host venue for the 2017 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship, high level water polo returns to Indy when the USA Water Polo Men’s and Women’s National Teams welcome in some of the top water polo nations in the world in final preparation for the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.
“We are excited to collaborate with FINA and Indiana Sports Corp to bring some of the best water polo teams in the world to Indiana just a few months before the Olympic Games Tokyo. The 2020 FINA Intercontinental Tournament is an opportunity to showcase our USA Water Polo Olympic Teams in one of the greatest sports towns in the world. As one of the final stops before teams head to Japan, we know this event will be a springboard for athletes into the Olympic competition. Additionally, this visit will spur the continued development and growth of our sport both domestically and internationally,” said John Abdou, USA Water Polo Chief High Performance Officer.
“On behalf of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp is excited to welcome USA Water Polo’s teams and one of FINA’s prestigious events to the city,” said Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn. “Olympic events showcase Indianapolis on an international stage, and we look forward to providing the athletes, coaches and fans a first-class experience when they arrive next April.”
“After hosting multiple age group championship events in the state of Indiana, USA Water Polo is thrilled to bring high level international water polo to Indianapolis in 2020,” said Ryan Cunnane, USA Water Polo Director of Events. He continued, “our goals at USA Water Polo are to grow the sport and be successful in international competition and this event allows us to focus on both in the same week. The USA Water Polo National Teams relish the opportunity to play on home soil and by bringing an event like this to Indianapolis we get the chance to connect our top athletes with growing water polo communities throughout the Midwest. A big thank you to Indiana Sports Corp, they check all the boxes when it comes to hosting high level competition and we are excited to work with them on what is sure to be a fun week of water polo.”
Nations competing will be determined in early 2020 but the FINA Intercontinental Tournament typically features the very best teams outside of Europe in an event that serves as a qualifier for the FINA World League Super Final. The USA Water Polo Women’s National Team will enter 2020 as two-time defending Olympic champions and the odds-on favorite to repeat in Tokyo. They have been dominant at the FINA Intercontinental Tournament, reaching the podium in every iteration of the event and claiming gold in 2019 in addition to top honors in four of the last five years. The USA Water Polo Men’s National Team has also podiumed in every appearance taking gold in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
