For the first time since 2017, when the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Intercontinental Tournament was held in Davis, California, the United States will be the site of a major international water polo competition. It was announced earlier today by USA Water Polo that they will partner with the Indiana Sports Corp. to host the 2020 FINA Men’s & Women’s Intercontinental Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 28 through May 3, 2020.
The IU Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI—site of the 2017 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship—will serve as the host venue when the USA Water Polo Men’s and Women’s National Teams welcome in some of the world’s top water polo nations in final preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
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“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,” said John Abdou, USA Water Polo Chief High Performance Officer. “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.”
Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn cast a wide welcome to all in the country’s water polo community.
“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 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.”
The last time Team USA captain Maggie Steffens was in Indianapolis was the 2017 NCAAs. Photo Courtesy: Justin Casterline
Nations competing will be determined in early 2020, but the FINA Intercontinental Tournament typically features the best teams outside of Europe in an event that serves as a qualifier for the FINA World League Super Final. In 2019, when the women’s Intercontinental Tournament was held in Perth, Australia, the teams included Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
The U.S. women’s team will enter 2020 as two-time defending Olympic champions and odds-on favorite to repeat in Tokyo. Currently riding a 59-match winning streak, the American women have historically dominated FINA Intercontinental Tournament play, 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.
Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, the U.S. men’s team has also reached the podium in all of its appearances, including gold medals in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
“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.
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“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.”
With material provided by USA Water Polo