Downtown Hartford Activities for USA Gymnastics Fans - May 17 & 18

A special two-day restaurant and shop discount program and a Saturday Fan Fest on Pratt Street will add to the excitement when USA Gymnastics holds its 2024 Core Hydration Classic at the XL Center on 100 Trumbull Street in Hartford on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.

For the first time in American history, an American gymnastics competition is expected to see three U.S. Olympic All-Around Gold medalists – Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee – compete head-to-head. Two sessions will be held both days of the event; the Elite Seniors will compete on Saturday, May 18.

The XL Center and the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS), with a collaboration of Downtown organizations and businesses that include the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Hartford Business Improvement District and The iQuilt Partnership, have created special programs and activities for the pleasure of USAG attendees. The thousands of spectators and participants will be seeking places to eat and activities to enjoy before, during, and after each session of the competition, as the XL Center will need to clear out the arena after each session in preparation for the next.

On Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, many downtown restaurants and shops will offer special discounts or items for guests who display their XL Center ticket for a USA Gymnastics session. Participating restaurants include the XL Center Sports Bar on the corner of Church and Ann Uccello Street, Banh Meee at 126 Ann Uccello St.; Connecticut's Old State House at 800 Main St.; Emrey's Specialty Sweets & Sodas at 196 Trumbull St.; Gentle Bull Shop on 45 Pratt St.; Hartford Prints! at 42½ Pratt St.; The Brownstone at 114 Asylum St.; The Place 2 Be Downtown at 5 Constitution Plaza; and Sunberry Restaurant and Bar at 65 Pratt St.

On Saturday, May 18 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a “Tumble Street Fan Fest” block party with free activities on Pratt Street will take place, right across the street from the XL Center. The pedestrian - only Pratt Street lies between Trumbull St. and Main St. and will be nicknamed Tumble Street for the festivities. Free activities include yard games such as corn hole and a DJ with music from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

"The Tumble Street Fan Fest will be a great way for USA Gymnastics fans to experience downtown Hartford prior to or after the Core Hydration Classic,” says Ben Weiss, General Manager of the XL Center. “Pratt Street is going to be bustling with music, games, food & drink specials, and excitement as everyone gathers to see their favorite gymnasts compete inside the XL Center. We’re proud to bring this marquee event to Hartford and look forward to watching our downtown community embrace the fans that are visiting from all over the country."

“We are pleased to welcome USA Gymnastics, its athletes, officials, families, and fans back to Connecticut and our Capital City,” explains Robert Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS), the state’s official meetings and sports event sales and marketing organization. “The exciting event is expected to generate over $1.8 Million in revenue over two days as visitors stay in area hotels, dine in local restaurants, shop in the region, and enjoy nearby attractions.” Murdock reports an estimated 635 jobs in the region’s hospitality industry will be supported by this event, and approximately $65,000 in Connecticut Sales Tax will be generated. (*Destinations International economic calculator)

The 2024 Core Hydration Classic starts the process for 2024 Olympic Team qualifying in earnest, serving as the final opportunity for women’s artistic athletes to qualify to the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Championships May 30-June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. At the championships, the National Team roster that will compete at the Olympic Trials July 27-30 in Minneapolis will be chosen. The USA Gymnastics Core Hydration Classic at the XL Center on May 17 and 18 will host two sessions each day.

• Friday, May 17 – 2:00p.m.-4:30 p.m. – Hopes Championships
• Friday, May 17 – 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – Junior Women
• Saturday, May 18 – 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Senior Women Session 1
• Saturday, May 18 – 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. – Senior Women Session 2

Tickets for the Core Hydration Classic in Hartford are available at XLCenter.com. Tickets for Friday can be purchased here and tickets for Saturday can be purchased here. Athlete registration for the event closed on Friday, May 3 but does not guarantee athlete participation. Gymnasts may still submit petitions to compete and register prior to the start of competition.

Complete event information, including competition and broadcasting schedules, can be found at corehydrationclassic.com.