The Military World Games Are Coming to America for the First Time

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 19 of the "Militarily Speaking" podcast with Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery

In this episode of Militarily Speaking, we talk with Ike Belk, co-founder of the U.S. Performance Center, about bringing the 2027 Carolinas Military World Games to the United States for the first time. Ike shares the scale of the global competition, how the games will celebrate active-duty service members and veterans, and why sport can create connections across countries, cultures and military communities.

“Militarily Speaking” is a podcast produced by Armed Forces Bank that is dedicated to the military lifestyle and all the things that makes the military community who they are.

The Military World Games Are Coming to America for the First Time

In 2027, thousands of military athletes from around the world are expected to gather in the Carolinas for an event the United States has never hosted before.

The 2027 Carolinas Military World Games will bring active-duty service members, reservists, cadets and veteran para-athletes together for an international competition that Ike Belk says will be one of the largest sporting events ever held in North Carolina.

For Ike, however, the games represent more than medals and competition.

They bring together several parts of his life: his family’s long connection to the Olympic movement, his work developing elite athletes through the U.S. Performance Center, and a deep respect for veterans and military service.

Building the U.S. Performance Center

The U.S. Performance Center grew from a partnership between Ike and business partner David Kerner. Ike brings a family legacy deeply connected to the Olympic movement, while David built his career around human performance, athlete development and sports science.

Together, they created an organization focused on developing athletes at multiple levels. The U.S. Performance Center began with a much smaller membership-based model before earning an Olympic designation in 2015 as a Community Olympic Development Program.

Since then, USPC has developed partnerships with more than 20 National Governing Bodies of Sport and supports athletes in programs including USA Field Hockey, USA Taekwondo and USA Judo.

The organization has also become a home for Olympic-level training and competition as athletes begin working toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. That background in elite sports eventually opened the door to an even larger opportunity.

Bringing the Military World Games to the United States

Ike says USA Pentathlon approached the U.S. Performance Center about pursuing the Military World Games. At the time, even he did not fully understand the scale of the event. The Military World Games are organized through the International Military Sports Council, known as CISM, an organization representing more than 140 member nations.

Ike and his team began pursuing the opportunity to host the games in 2024. The process required building support not only throughout the Carolinas, but also with military leaders, federal officials and CISM member countries around the world.

The Carolinas were selected to host the 2027 Military World Games, marking the first time the event will be held in the United States. It is also the first time CISM has entrusted a local organizing committee from private industry with leading the games.

How Big Are the 2027 Military World Games?

Ike says more than 11,000 athletes and delegates were already registered at the time of the interview, with participation still growing as additional countries respond.

The final number could reach approximately 15,000 athletes and delegates.

The event is expected to include:

· More than 100 participating countries

· 30-plus sporting events

· More than 20 venues

· Multiple cities and counties across the Carolinas

· Approximately 10 days of ceremonies and competition

The games will take place June 25 through July 4, 2027.

Opening and closing ceremonies will bookend eight days of competition, with the final day intentionally landing on Independence Day.

Ike also says the event is projected to generate approximately $2 billion in economic impact for North Carolina.

Unlike some major international sporting events that require entirely new stadiums and venues, Ike says the region already has many of the facilities needed to host the games. That helped make the Carolinas an attractive option.

Olympic-Caliber Athletes in Uniform

The Military World Games are not simply recreational competitions among military members. Many of the athletes competing are among the best in their sports. Ike estimates that more than 60% of athletes participating in the games could eventually compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Some Military World Games competitions are also part of the qualification process athletes use to earn points toward Olympic participation. That creates an unusual combination. Spectators may be watching elite international athletes capable of competing on the Olympic stage while also cheering on people serving in their countries’ armed forces.

Competitors include active-duty service members, reservists and athletes from military academies. The 2027 games will also include six para-sports featuring veterans. For Ike, that connection between elite competition and military service is part of what makes the event special.

“Peace Through Sport”

The Military World Games are competitive, but their larger mission is built around cooperation. CISM grew from international military sporting efforts that followed World War I and was created around the idea of bringing nations together through athletic competition.

The organization’s motto centers around friendship through sport, while the 2027 games are being promoted around the idea of peace through sport. That mission resonates strongly with Ike.

Athletes may represent different countries and military forces, but sport gives them a shared environment where they can compete, communicate and build relationships. Those relationships can matter far beyond the field of play. For Ike, that is one of the biggest reasons the games deserve greater attention.

These Games Are for Veterans Too

Although active-duty military athletes are at the center of the competition, Ike wants veterans across the United States to feel ownership of the event. His message during the episode is simple:

“This one’s for you.”

The organizing team wants as many veterans as possible to attend the games and experience them firsthand. One of its sponsorship goals is to help provide free admission opportunities for veterans. That means sponsors will play an important role not only in staging the games, but also in helping military families and veterans participate in the experience.

How People Can Support the 2027 Military World Games

One of the biggest challenges facing the organizers is awareness. That means the next phase is largely about helping more Americans understand what is coming. Listeners can support the games simply by spreading the word.

The organizing committee is also interested in hearing from:

· Potential volunteers

· Corporate sponsors

· Organizations that want to support veterans

· People interested in attending future events

· Media partners that can help build awareness

Visit MWG27.com for updates and information about the 2027 Carolinas Military World Games.

The site will serve as a central resource as additional volunteer, sponsorship and ticket information becomes available.

A Personal Mission for Ike Belk

Ike’s connection to sports began long before the Military World Games. His grandfather became inspired by watching Jesse Owens compete during the 1936 Olympics and later spent decades involved with the Olympic movement.

Another grandfather, Bill Bowron, served during World War II and landed on Utah Beach during the second wave of D-Day. Ike says one word from his grandfather has remained with him throughout his life:

Fortitude.

That idea has become especially important while organizing the games. The process has required years of work, repeated rejection and countless conversations with government officials, military leaders, sponsors, sporting organizations and community partners.

Hundreds of people are already contributing time and expertise to the games, including many veterans who simply want to help. For Ike, that willingness to come together demonstrates the same idea the games themselves represent.

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