Houston will once again take the national spotlight as it hosts the 2025 AAU Junior Olympic Games from July 22 to August 2, marking the fourth time the Bayou City has welcomed the largest youth multi-sport event in the country.
With more than 16,000 athletes ages 8 to 18 set to compete across five major venues in the region, it’s a full-circle moment for the city’s role in shaping the future of American athletics.
Lewis Fellinger, an AAU representative who has helped coordinate multiple iterations of the Games, says Houston holds a major significance to athletes and their families.
“Our athletes and parents love the return visit,” he said. “It’s a vibrant city and Houston always shows up big for youth sports.”
This year’s games bring a notable first, flag football’s debut as an official AAU Junior Olympic event. Around 250 teams are expected. Fellinger said Houston was the obvious choice for launching the new sport.
“We targeted Houston because they had the infrastructure and flexibility to help us make it a success.”
Other competitions will include swimming, indoor sports like gymnastics and cheerleading, field hockey and what Fellinger calls the “crown jewel” of the Games, track and field, which he says is the largest youth track meet in the nation.
At this stage, athletes like 15-year-old Dillon Mitchell, a rising track star from Track Houston Youth Track Club, are preparing to shine. Dillon will compete in the 4×100-meter relay and train multiple days weekly to maintain top form.
“My training is really high maintenance,” Dillon said. “We work on starts, form and carrying speed through the finish. It’s intense, but I’ve been focused on the season and just staying healthy.”
Dillon is no stranger to elite competition; even at age seven, he placed third nationally in the 100-meter dash. Now, he holds the world record for his age group and the fastest freshman time in U.S. history. Though football is his first love, track has become critical to his athletic future. “If football doesn’t work out,” he said, “I’ll go pro in track.”
His father, William Mitchell, has seen firsthand what it takes to support a young athlete on the national stage. From cross-country flights to daily commutes across Houston traffic for training, it is a serious commitment.
“You’re talking about training three days a week, on top of work and coaching,” Mitchell said. “But seeing him succeed makes it all worth it.”
Mitchell believes competitive youth sports offer more than just medals; they instill discipline, confidence and purpose.
“It’s invaluable,” he said. “If you pour into your kids, they’ll rise to your expectations. The ability to push beyond exhaustion has helped Dillon tap into his full potential.”
Fellinger emphasized the importance of making time to experience more than just the competition. “I’d encourage athletes and their families to explore the other sports and explore the city,” he said. “Houston has a little bit of everything.”
The games will take place at venues across Greater Houston, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, Cy-Fair Natatorium and Turner Stadium. While the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority handles ticketing, the excitement and energy will be felt citywide.
“This event lights a fire for fitness and lifelong sports participation,” said Fellinger. “These young athletes are the future and you’ll see many of their names again, on much bigger stages, in the years to come.”
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List of AAU pro/Olympic competitors.
- Sha’Carri Richardson
- Participated in the 2016 AAU JO Games in Houston, TX
- Jasmine Moore
- Participated in 2015 AAU JO Games in Norfolk, VA
- Simone Biles
- Previous AAU Sullivan Award Winner
- Did not participate in AAU JO Games
- Jalen Hurts
- AAU Alumni
- Did not participate in AAU JO Games
