BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 31, 2026) — During a press conference held Tuesday, March 31, at City Walk BHAM, city and tourism leaders announced that Birmingham will welcome the world’s largest action sports festival to the United States in 2026 as the only American host city on the global FISE (Festival International des Sports Extrêmes) World Series tour.
The city will host the inaugural FISE World Series event in Birmingham from August 7–9, 2026, with preliminary programming beginning August 6. The three-day urban sports festival will transform City Walk BHAM into a global hub for sports, culture and community.
FISE will bring together more than 400 athletes to compete across three sports, including BMX Freestyle, skateboarding and 3×3 basketball, attracting elite competitors and fans from around the world. The festival will be globally broadcast via Warner Bros. Discovery, showcasing Birmingham to international audiences and positions the city alongside the world’s premier action sports destinations.
“We are so excited to host the FISE World Series,” said Randall Woodfin, mayor of Birmingham. “The City of Birmingham along with the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau as well as the BJCC, continue to work in partnership to be in the best position to host world-class events.”
More than 20,000 spectators are projected to attend the event over four days, generating meaningful economic activity for Birmingham’s hotels, restaurants and small businesses while showcasing the city’s vibrant, diverse and eclectic character to a global audience.
Hunter Williams, Birmingham City Councilor, stated that “The City of Birmingham will keep investing in tourism because our hotel occupancy rates are higher than ever before.” He added, “With more events coming to Birmingham, hosting these tourism events creates a snowball effect that benefits the city.”
“In the middle of downtown and in this beautiful setting is what City Walk Birmingham is, and that’s certainly something that we’re all excited about,” said Tad Snider, executive director of the BJCC and City Walk BHAM. “We’re excited to leverage City Walk’s skate park, which is a great amenity for the region.”
“Hosting premier international events like this is a key part of our strategy to grow Birmingham’s global visibility and economic impact through sports and tourism,” said Bill Murray, chairman of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau board. “Events like the FISE World Series bring new visitors, new energy and new opportunities to our community. Birmingham is increasingly recognized as a premier destination for sports and events, and we are building a reputation for delivering on a global stage.”
FISE is produced by Hurricane Group, a global leader in action sports events and media. According to Hervé André‑Benoit, CEO of Hurricane Group, Birmingham stood out as a host city with the infrastructure, energy and vision to support the world‑class event.
“Birmingham is a city with soul, with ambition, and with a culture that naturally connects to what FISE represents,” André‑Benoit said. “This is not a one-shot event, we are here to build a long-term story with this city, its riders, and its communities.”
The event underscores the strength of collaboration between the City of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, BJCC, Jefferson County and tourism partners, and reflects Birmingham’s rising international profile as a destination for major events.
Additional details, including athlete announcements and event programming, will be released in the months leading up to the festival.
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About Hurricane Group | FISE
Hurricane Group is the global leader in action and urban sports events, and the creator of FISE (Festival International des Sports Extrêmes). Founded in 1997 in Montpellier, France, FISE has grown into a world-renowned festival bringing together the best athletes in action sports, in front of passionate live audiences and millions of fans online. Today, FISE operates as a multi-city international circuit with stops across Europe, Asia, and North America, combining elite competition with a festival experience open to all. Each event is built in close collaboration with the sport’s international governing bodies, ensuring the highest standards of competition and athlete recognition. Beyond events, Hurricane Group also designs and builds urban sports infrastructures through Hurricane Parks. From world-class competitions to permanent venues, the group is committed to inspiring new generations and leaving a lasting legacy in every city it enters. For more information: https://hurcn.com/
About Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is the official tourism and marketing organization for Birmingham and Jefferson County. Established in 1969, the non-profit agency generates positive economic impact by positioning the Greater Birmingham Region as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events, and domestic and international leisure travel. Birmingham and its neighboring municipalities welcome more than 4.04 million visitors each year, generating $2.57 billion in economic impact. Learn more at inbirmingham.com.
About BJCC
The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) is Alabama’s premier sports, convention, and entertainment center. It is home to three exhibition halls and meeting space offering 380,000 square feet for trade shows, consumer shows, exhibitions, and meetings. The BJCC is home to sports and entertainment venues including a concert hall, stadium, and the state’s largest arena. The BJCC campus also includes the Uptown Entertainment District, The Westin Birmingham Hotel and Alabama’s largest hotel, the 497-room Sheraton Birmingham. The BJCC has also partnered with Live Nation to open the new 9,380-seat Coca-Cola Amphitheater. Visit bjcc.org for more information.
