PDGA Junior Disc Golf Tournament to Bring Hundreds to Butler County Area

(Butler County, July 6, 2026) —The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) will host the 2026 Junior Disc Golf World Championships in Pittsburgh from July 7 to July 11. The event will feature competitions at courses across the area, including two in Butler County.

The championships will utilize the professional-grade 18-hole Moraine State Park’s Lakeview course and the North Boundary Park Disc Golf Course, the longest in PA. These venues are part of a broader selection of courses in the Pittsburgh area, chosen to provide a challenging and diverse experience for the competitors.

Pittsburgh Flying Disc, the host organization, has a history of managing major disc golf events, including the 2015 PDGA Professional World Championships and the 2022 DGPT Silver Series. Recent championships have attracted competitors from over a dozen countries, as well as several hundred family members, coaches, volunteers, and spectators throughout the week.

Experience Butler County (EBC) has collaborated with Pittsburgh Flying Disc to enhance the visitor experience for the hundreds of players and their families attending the event.

"We have been working with Pittsburgh Flying Disc to make sure that the players, families, and spectators have a great experience while visiting Butler County, " said Rick Yarosz of EBC. "We are working to connect them with restaurants, shopping and entertainment between matches and throughout the event."

Sports tourism has become a significant contributor to Butler County's economy. In 2024, visitor spending in the county exceeded $750 million, with notable increases across all major categories, including a 13% rise in recreation spending. In its 2026 State of the Industry Report, Sports ETA ranked PA fourth in the nation for generating participatory sports tourism impact.

The 2026 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships are expected to draw substantial attention to the region, highlighting its capacity to host large-scale sporting events and further solidifying its reputation as a destination for sports tourism.

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About Experience Butler County: Experience Butler County is dedicated to promoting tourism and enhancing the visitor experience in Butler County, Pennsylvania. By collaborating with local organizations and businesses, EBC aims to showcase the county's attractions and support its economic growth through tourism.

RESULTS:

2026 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships-This year's event saw 434 competitors come to take on five of the best courses that the Pittsburgh area has to offer. Over 50 of our competitors in attendance were international, representing 13 different countries. The junior competitors came to town alongside their parents, siblings, and other friends and family. An estimated 2,000 people were in attendance at the opening ceremonies/flymart event.

During the days of competition, approximately 100 volunteers showed up to help keep everything flowing smoothly. Essential upgrades were made to our local courses.

Moraine

• Drainage improvements (holes 1/2/15)
  
• New/upgraded paths on 1, 15, and 18.
  
• New/improved OB lines throughout the course
• New/improved pin locations (stone work)
• Extensive course cleanup and fairway opening of holes 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, and 18.

North Boundary

• Extensive stonework throughout the course
• New/improved OB lines throughout the course
• Mulched greens throughout the course
• Extensive course cleanup