Event Info
2026 POLE VAULT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday + Saturday, June 26th-27th 2026
2200 East Capitol Street NE Washington D.C.
Hosted by: DC Vault and the National Pole Vault Association
Event Information
FRIDAY – Jun 26th
STATE CHAMPIONS DIVISION
HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONS ONLY (Public and Private School Champions)!
Open only to athletes who placed 1st at a USA 2026 indoor or outdoor High School State Championship (All Class Divisions, to include Public and Private Schools State Champions) in any State (verification required).
The State Champions Division is an opportunity for the best of the best to compete head-to-head!
*Athletes who compete in the State Champions Division on Friday, June 26th may also register to compete in High School Divisions or Emerging Elite Divisions on Saturday, June 27th. Register online separately for each division.
Boy’s State Champions Division
o Any male athlete who placed 1st at an indoor or outdoor High School State Championship in 2026
o Will be required to submit online source to verify results
o 4.00m (13’1.5”) starting height
o 15cm progressions
Girl’s State Champions Division
o Any female athlete who placed 1st at an indoor or outdoor High School State Championship in 2026
o Will be required to submit online source to verify results
o 3.00m (9’11”) starting height
o 15cm progressions
NOTE: Starting heights may be adjusted down or up based on entry marks of competitors. Final decision will be made after registration has closed.
SATURDAY – Jun 27th
OPEN DIVISION INFORMATION
ELEMENTARY + MIDDLE SCHOOL + HIGH SCHOOL + OPEN-ADULT + EMERGING ELITE
Elementary School Division
o Any athlete age 7-11 who attended 5th grade and under during Spring of 2026
o 1.55m starting height (5’1”)
o Combined Division (boys and girls scored separately)
Middle School Division
o Any athlete age 11-14 who attended grades 6-8 during Spring of 2026
o 1.55m starting height (5’1”)
o Combined Division (boys and girls scored separately)
High School Division
o Any athlete age 14-18 who attended grades 9-12 in Spring of 2026
o 1.85m (6’1”) starting height for girls
o 2.45m (8’) starting height for boys Division II (PR under 12’6”)
o 3.35 (11’) starting height for boys Division I (PR 12’6”+)
Open Adult Divisions
o Any athlete age 18 and up who graduated high school prior to 2026 with a PR less than 15’
o 1.85m (6’1”) starting height for women
o 2.45m (8’) starting height for men
Men’s Emerging Elite Division
o Any athlete with a PR of 4.57m (15’1”) or higher (verifiable)
o 4.30m (14’1”) starting height
NOTE: Male and female competitors in combined divisions are scored separately. 15cm progressions will be used for Open Divisions.
ELITE INVITE DIVISION INFORMATION
Entry Standards
Elite Men
o Event + Facility Record: 5.82m / 19’1.25” (Austin Miller - 2024)
o 5.65m (A) standard - automatic qualifying
o 5.30m (B) standard - waitlist
accepted B-standard entries posted by June 13th
alternates will compete in a Men’s Elite II Division (TBA) or the Men’s Emerging Elite Division
5.00m starting height
Progressions:
5.00+15 (16’5”)
5.15 (16’11”)
5.30 (17’5”)
5.45+10 (17’11”)
5.55 (18’3”)
5.65 (18’6”)
5.75+5 (18’10”)
5.80 (19’)
5.85 (19’2.75”) Event Record
5.90 (19’4”)
5.95 (19’6”)
6.00 (19’8”)
Elite Women
o Event + Facility Record: 4.73m / 15’6.25” (Bridget Williams - 2024)
o 4.3m (A) standard - automatic qualifying
o 4.0m (B) standard - waitlist
accepted B-standard entries posted by June 13th
alternates will compete in a Women’s Elite II Division (TBA), the Women’s Open Division, or Girl’s High School division
4.00m starting height
Progressions:
4.00+15 (13’1”)
4.15 (13’7”)
4.30+10 (14’1”)
4.40 (14’5”)
4.50 (14’9”)
4.60+5 (15’)
4.65 (15’3”)
4.70 (15’5”)
4.75 (15’7”) Event Record
4.80 (15’9”)
4.85 (15’11”)
4.90 (16’1”)
4.95 (16’3”)
5.00 (16’5”)
Elite Entries: Contact Events@DCVault.org
Note: Athletes meeting the “B” standard for Elite Divisions should register for Emerging Elite or Open Divisions. If a “B” standard athlete is selected for Elite Division placement the athlete will be listed in the Elite Division on the start list (to be published on June 13th).
Airport Pickup/Drop-Off
DCA (Reagan National Airport) ONLY!
Pickup and Drop-Off must be coordinated not later than June 18th
Drop-Off will be provided in two separate groups on Sunday June 28th (one early AM group, one mid AM)
FLY KIDS TRIAL CLASS INFORMATION
Class Schedule and Registration
Four 15-minute Fly-Kids Trial Classes will be offered free of charge during the event at the following times
o 2:30pm
o 2:45pm
o 3:00pm
o 3:15pm
6 participants per class
Ages 6-10 ONLY (strictly enforced)
Registration is first come first serve at the front gate
o A parent must be present to sign the participant up for a time slot
o After paying admission to the facility, coordinate with the front gate staff to choose a time slot (DC residents and children under age 13 enter free)
o Time slots are available to reserve in listed order only. Once each class fills up, the next time slot will become available for reserving.
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION
Spikes
o 1/8" SPIKES ONLY at this facility (not standard 1/4" spikes!)
o ELITE DIVISION athletes only may wear 1/4" spikes
o Athletes using spikes longer than 1/8" will be disqualified/scratched from the competition
o 1/8” spikes can be purchased online at Amazon.com
Strongly Recommended so you don't waste time at the event trying to change spikes!
Available for $5 per set at the event (bring your own spike wrench)
Start List/Results
Download Start List HERE! (Available June 22nd)
Download Final Results HERE! (Available July 1st)
Awards/Sanctioning
Medals will be awarded in all divisions, 1st through 3rd place
Jiffy Car Rack Pole Carrier for 1st place finishers!
Special Limited-Edition Medals Awarded for facility records and State Champions Divisions (boys + girls)
USATF + World Athletics Sanctioned
Elite Division Results will be published to WorldAthletics.org
Open Division Results will be published to Milesplit.com and DCVault.com/events
Venue - Spectators - Coaches
DC Vault Pole Vault Center - 2200 East Capitol Street NE, Washington DC
3 Mondo Runways, UCS 1800, 1900 and Elite 2100 series pits
Parking On-Site (Lot #3), download SITE MAP HERE to view parking and team tent areas
Enter the facility from the E. Capitol Street sidewalk gate by exiting Lot #3 onto the sidewalk and heading to the double gate facing the street next to the DC VAULT storage unit.
$10 Admission for all non-competitors entering the facility (CASH ONLY)
o Children Under age 13 enter FREE
o DC Residents enter FREE
o Spectators and coaches may also watch from outside the fenced area free-of-charge
TENTS and CANOPIES are NOT allowed inside the venue. Spectators wishing to use personal shade canopies or pop-up tent canopies may do so OUTSIDE of the fenced area and enter/exit the venue as needed after paying admission. Download SITE MAP HERE to view parking and team tent areas.
Coaches who have paid admission may enter the facility and assist athletes in the designated coach’s box
o PLEASE be professional and immediately move to the back of the coaching box after your athlete jumps before talking to your athlete so that the next competitor’s coach has a clear view of the runway and pit!
Pole Storage
Overnight pole storage can be arranged.
For advance drop-off coordination email Events@dcvault.org not later than June 19th.
Poles stored overnight after the event can be picked up from 12:00pm-12:30pm on Sunday, June 28th.
Pole Rentals
UCS Spirit Poles Available for Rent at the Event (inquire)
$30 cash at check-in
You may be sharing your rental pole
ID will be held until the pole is returned
Event Features / Food
Free Grilled hot dogs and veggie dogs for competitors and spectators while they last!
Bring something special for yourself if you’d like to grill it up!
Merchandise available for purchase
Pets
Dog friendly venue!
Bring a leash and water for your critter
General Info
For additional information, email Events@dcvault.org