Chicago Area - 2013 U.S. Classics

© John Cheng

• All-Day tickets on sale March 13

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., March 12, 2013 — For the fourth straight year, the Chicago area will play host to the final qualifying event for women's gymnastics for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, which determines U.S. champions and national team members. The U.S. Classic, which features some of the USA's top female gymnasts, is scheduled for July 27 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, March 13.
"The Sears Centre Arena will be a great venue for this event," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "After the success of the 2009 American Cup at the Sears Centre, we have no doubt that this year's Classic will do well, especially since this is really the first chance to see who from the last Olympic cycle are still in the mix and who will become the stars heading into the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio."
"World Sport Chicago is excited to be working with USA Gymnastics again this year to make this a great event," said Scott Myers, executive director of World Sport Chicago. "As one of the premier gymnastics events in the United States, it serves as a powerful motivator for the youth of the area to get involved in the sport."
Many of the country's top gymnasts use the event as a final tune-up for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, while other gymnasts are hoping to qualify for the national championships. The July 27 competition schedule is 1 p.m. for the junior session and 6 p.m. for the senior session. All times are Central and subject to change.
All-day tickets, which include admission to both the junior and senior elite sessions, are $69, $60, $50 and $40, including facility fees. Single session tickets will go on sale at a later date. To purchase tickets, visit www.SearsCentre.com, call 1-888-SEARS-TIX, or visit the KIA Box Office at the Sears Centre Arena. Group tickets may be purchased by calling 847-649-2368.
USA Gymnastics is again partnering with World Sport Chicago on this event. The two organizations have worked together on the 2009 American Cup, the 2009-10 Chicago Cup, and the U.S. Classic since 2010. .
The 2013 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for Aug. 15-18 in Hartford, Conn., determines the U.S. champions for men's and women's artistic gymnastics.
Background information

• Sears Centre Arena. Sears Centre Arena is an 11,000-seat multipurpose family entertainment, cultural, and sports arena located in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park. The Sears Centre Arena, which opened in 2006, is designed to accommodate a variety of events including concerts, family shows and sporting events. For more information regarding the Sears Centre Arena and upcoming events, please visit the arena's website at www.searscentre.com.
• World Sport Chicago. World Sport Chicago, the legacy of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid, believes that sport has the power to transform lives and is dedicated to helping children in Chicago find a sport to meet their interests and abilities. The organization promotes the Olympic ideals of fitness, education and well-being by working with partner organizations to launch or expand sport programs for kids. WSC is working to introduce Chicago's youth to the fun and benefit of sports and the ideals of fair play, teamwork, respect and leadership. For more information, go to www.worldsportchicago.org.