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Frequently asked questions

General FAQs

Are spectators able to watch the events at WMACi25? Do spectators need tickets for WMACi25?

Spectators will have access to watch all events, and there are no tickets required to do so.

Will there be any athlete parties at the WMACi25?

The Opening Ceremony will be held 22 March 2025 at 18:00 EST. There are no other official athlete parties hosted by the WMACi25, but there will be unofficial events for athletes to attend at Celebration Point and in the Gainesville area. This information will be available in the Competition Handbook, which will be published after registration closes. Some teams will host their own parties, which would be separate from WMACi25, and information about those events would come directly from your national Masters athletics organization that is a member of WMA (“National Organization”).

What are the addresses of the two event locations?

The indoor facility is located at 4870 Celebration Pointe Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608 and the outdoor facility is located at 12830 W Newberry Road, Newberry, Florida 32699.

Registration FAQs

How can I get information about the WMACi25?

Information can be found online at wmaci2025.com and in the Entry Handbook found by clicking here.

How do I register for the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in 2025?

Click here to read the entry requirements and procedures and to register online (click one of the orange buttons that says “Click here to register”).  Also, read pages 13-18 of the Entry Handbook

What are the qualifications to compete at the WMACi25?

There are no performance qualifications; however, read page 13 of the Entry Handbook for eligibility requirements

Do I have to register for all events during my initial registration? How many events can I register for?

You must register for at least one event during your registration, but you can go back and update your registration to add additional events until the registration deadline. You can register for as many events as you would like to, as long as you meet the requirements of your national Masters athletics organization, which is a member of WMA (“National Organization”).

When is the deadline to register?

The deadline to register is 23 January 2025.  No registrations will be accepted after the registration deadline, so do not delay.  See page 14 of the Entry Handbook.

How can I add accompanying persons? Can I add more accompanying persons after my initial registration?

You can add accompanying persons during your registration for WMACi25. You can update your registration to add additional accompanying persons until the registration deadline for the $30 fee. After that, all accompanying persons would have to be added on-site at the WMACi25 TIC and would have a slightly higher price.

Do I have to sign up all of my companions as accompanying persons?

Accompanying person passes are for individuals who would like to receive a credential, be able to use the transportation network, access certain areas of the facilities where spectators are not permitted, and to be verified in order to receive an invitation letter for visa purposes. 

How do I register for relays?

Your team manager will register for relays during the Championships. Only one relay per country, distance, and age group is allowed.

Immigration FAQs

Are visas provided by the Local Organizing Committee; how do I obtain a visa?

Visas are not provided by the Local Organizing Committee.  You must apply for a visa through the United States Department of State.  Click here to follow the process, or read page 27 of the Entry Handbook.

How do I request and obtain a Visa Invitation Letter?

Please visit www.wmaci2025.com/visa to follow the process and access the link to request an invitation letter, or click here to access the form directly.  You must be registered and validated by your national Masters athletics organization that is a member of WMA (“National Organization”) prior to receiving an invitation letter.

How do I request an invitation letter for my travel companions / family?

You may request an invitation letter for each companion/family member by clicking here. However, you must be registered and validated and have purchased an accompanying person pass for each individual.

Can the Local Organizing Committee assist me in obtaining my visa?

The Local Organizing Committee can begin providing assistance with items such as visa invitation letters once you have registered, been validated by your national Masters athletics organization that is a member of WMA (“National Organization”) and have applied for your visa.  If you have followed these steps and are encountering a problem, please email info@wmaci2025.com. The U.S. Department of State is the sole authority in making visa decisions, and the LOC cannot override any decisions made by the U.S. Department of State.

Competition FAQs

What are the dates of the competition?

The competition will take place from 23-30 March 2025.  The preliminary competition schedule can be found by clicking here, or reading pages 24-26 of the Entry Handbook.

When will I know the times for the different events?

The final schedule with start times and competition venues will be published sometime in February. The final schedule is determined after registration has ended, because it must be adapted to the number of entries and capacity of the venues. Registration ends on 23 January 2025.

My age is missing on the competition schedule.

When reading the competition schedule, it refers to 5-year age groups rather than actual ages. For example, if an event says M45, this means the men’s age group 45-49; or if an event says W45-55, this means the women’s age groups of 45-49, 50-54, and 55-59.

Will there be a cross-country race / how long will the cross-country race be?

The distance for the cross-country race is based on age. The distance for ages 35-65 is 8 km, while the distance for ages 70 and older is 6 km.

Will there be implements provided for throwing events (shot put, discus, hammer, weight, javelin)?

The LOC will provide all necessary implements for all age groups.

Will there be poles provided for the pole vault?

The LOC has arranged for a large inventory of poles to be available for rent.  More information and the rental link can be found by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

What are the events for the pentathlon?

For men, the events are 60m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, and 1000m run. For women, the events are 60m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, and 800m run.

What awards are given at the competition, and are there any team awards?

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division for all events.  In addition, there will be team awards in the 10 km Road Race, 10 km Race Walk, and the 8 km and 6 km Cross Country events. 

Transportation and Accommodations FAQs

Will transportation be provided to and from the airport?

Airport transportation information can be found on pages 30-32 of the Entry Handbook and by clicking here.

Will there be transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport (MCO)?

Shuttleliner of Ocala is a third-party that is servicing MCO for a cost.  Visit their website here and find the World Masters Athletics Alachua County Indoor Championships 2025 section of the home page to make reservations.

Will there be transportation to and from the Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Miami International Airport (MIA)?

The Local Organizing Committee is not arranging transportation services for these airports.

What is the closest airport to Alachua County, Florida?

The closest airport is Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), which provides direct connections to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Miami.

Where can I book a hotel / accommodations?

Click here to visit the hotel section of the website. The LOC has partnered with HBC Event Services to provide the best refundable rates and services for booking your accommodations.

How can I get transportation from my hotel to the different event locations (Alachua County Sports & Events Center and West End)?

Please read pages 32-33 of the Entry Handbook, and you can find information by clicking here.  If booking your hotel through HBC Event Services, at the time of booking you can request a transportation shuttle pass for free for the duration of the event, 22 March 2025 – 30 March 2025. If not booking through HBC, there is a $30 fee per person and you must request the transportation shuttle pass when registering.  This shuttle only services certain hotels, so please read the information on pages 32-33 of the Entry Handbook.

Is there transportation between the two venues (Alachua County Sports and Events Center and West End)?

Yes, the two venues are connected by shuttle available at no cost to credentialed athletes and credentialed accompanying persons.  See page 32 of the Entry Handbook or click here.