INDIANAPOLIS, May 1, 2019 – The American Classic and Hopes Classic are returning to the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on June 21-22, 2019. Tickets are on sale now for both competitions, which are competitive qualifiers for women’s gymnastics: the American Classic, for the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City, Mo., in August; and the Hopes Classic, for the Hopes Championships, held in conjunction with the U.S. Classic in July in Louisville, Ky.

“We look forward to returning to the Huntsman Center for the American Classic and the Hopes Classic,” said Annie Heffernon, vice president of women’s gymnastics for USA Gymnastics. “Last year, the Huntsman Center and the Utah Sports Commission were excellent hosts, and our aspiring gymnasts had an enjoyable, competitive experience in a great atmosphere.”

“Our state is pleased to welcome these aspiring athletes and future stars,” said Aaron White, director of stadium and arena event services. “The Huntsman Center is an iconic gymnastics venue, surrounded by a community that loves the sport. We’re happy to host both competitors and fans in this special event.”

Each competition has two sessions, and the schedule, which is subject to change, is below. Tickets are on sale now. Multi-day passes, which include every session of both the Hopes Classic and the American Classic, range in price from $15-$25. Single-day tickets for either day range from $10-$20 and include both sessions for that day. Ticket prices vary according to seat locations. To purchase tickets, visit utahtickets.com or call 801-581-UTIX.

  • June 21 | Hopes Classic
    3 p.m. – Ages 10-11 and selected 12-13 year-olds
    6:30 p.m. – Ages 12-13
  • June 22 | American Classic
    11 a.m. – Juniors
    4 p.m. – Seniors

Women’s gymnastics has several ways athletes can qualify to the U.S. Championships, including by earning a minimum of 52.000 for seniors or a 51.000 for juniors in the all-around at either the American Classic or U.S. Classic. The U.S. Classic, scheduled for July 20 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, is the final opportunity to advance to the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Senior athletes can also qualify by earning a three-event score of 39.750 or a two-event score of 27.000 at either of these two events.

The Hopes classification is just below the elite level, and the top 18 athletes in both Hopes age groups (10-11 and 12-13-years old) who achieve the qualification score advance to the Hopes Championships. The Hopes Championships is the culmination of the Hopes season and scheduled for July 19.

Team members and alternates from the 2018 U.S. World Championships Team automatically qualified to the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. In addition to the U.S. and American Classics, national team members can earn a berth to the U.S. Championships by achieving the qualification score at a national team verification or international assignment.

Background information

  • Jon M. Hunstman Center. The Jon M. Huntsman Arena on the University of Utah campus is one of Salt Lake City’s premier sports and entertainment venues. Home of the university’s Runnin’ Utes basketball team, as well as the Red Rocks women’s gymnastics team, the venue has hosted a number of different sporting events, concerts, commencement exercises and other special events. The venue hosted the 1979 NCAA Final Four Tournament and the 1989 Western Athletic Conference. It is the largest arena in the Pac-12 conference system and in 2019, celebrates its 50th anniversary.
  • USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. Former gymnast and business executive Li Li Leung is the new president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, visit usagym.org.