Parkour’s origins go back the late 20th century, but it didn’t really take off until the 21st century. Originally popularized via movies, documentaries, YouTube, advertisements and video games, this sport has evolved to be a household name. Actually, the 2009 and 2010 Ultimate Parkour Challenge attracted 3.5 million viewers! Now that this was about ten and a half years ago, you can imagine what things are as of now.
As the sport has grown new companies, brands, and opportunities have risen up such as Parkour gyms, Parkour shoes, competitions, and even consultancy services. Who knows, maybe one day there will be a better circuit for this competitions For instance, fans may find it possible one day to place wagers on Parkour competitions, and if you continue reading here you’ll find some of the best US online sportsbooks. With competitions being a major development in the Parkour scene, let’s explore some of the top competitions you shouldn’t miss.
The USPK National Championship
The Sport Parkour League (SPL) is a premier competitive platform dedicated to showcasing the highest level of parkour talent while staying true to the sport’s culture. Founded after the success of the North American Parkour Championships (NAPC) in 2013, SPL has evolved into a global leader in parkour competition, introducing a standardized format that highlights three core disciplines: Skill, Speed, and Style. Skill focuses on individual challenge-based techniques, Speed emphasizes rapid and efficient obstacle navigation, and Style celebrates the artistic flair of parkour through creative lines and difficult tricks. With a mission to engage both athletes and audiences, SPL organizes a season of events that culminates in the prestigious Parkour World Championships, drawing top international competitors to test their abilities on a grand stage.
For the 2025 season, SPL’s flagship event, the SPL3 Parkour World Championships, promises to continue its tradition of high-energy competition, though specific dates and locations are yet to be confirmed following the 2024 event held August 16-18 in Vancouver, BC. The championship typically spans multiple days, featuring qualifiers, prelims, semi-finals, and finals, with athletes competing across the three disciplines to claim the world title. In past seasons, like SPL3 in 2024, the event has been accessible via free YouTube streams for early rounds and pay-per-view for the climactic finals, offering fans a front-row seat to the action. As SPL continues to expand its reach, the 2025 season is expected to further elevate parkour’s profile in the USA and beyond, potentially integrating with regional circuits like the USPK National Championships to qualify emerging talent for this elite international showdown.
The USPK National Championship
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this is actually the world’s largest organized parkour competition circuit. Hosted by the United States Parkour Association (USPK), it often includes athletes who practice free running and L’Art du Deplacement.
Before qualifying for this national championship, Parkour athletes usually participate in regional content. This year’s competition, which started in early January, is expected to end sometime in May. Just a side note for those who may want to compete: You must have an individual or professional membership.
Southeast Parkour Championships (SEPKC)
Are you actually seeking something that goes beyond just competition? Well, SEPKC has a unique focus on individual growth, resilience, and passion and offers multiple opportunities to build community and networks.
The 2025 season has already kicked off, with the finals expected to happen on 14th and 15th June at Ponte Vedra, Florida. And do you know what? Signing up early for the finals could actually save you some coins.
For those who want to participate as athletes, SEPKC has some perks. For example, when a team of five or more athletes competes in any of their events, they get free entry to the enxt event.
Remember, we said that this competition majorly focuses on community, and offering such perks is its way of saying thank you.
The West Coast Community’s Parkour Championships & Jams (WCPKC)
This competition normally occurs every year at parkour gyms or outdoor locations along the west coast. The good thing is that it is not very different from SEPKC. By focusing on building community, WCPKC brings together people of all ages and skill levels.
Here are a few updates for those who might be interested in this year’s competition:
- There will be no interconnected competition season this year until 2026
- West Coast is supporting several Parkour Jams
- WCPKC will no longer affiliate with USPK and has ceased to be a qualifier for their national championship circuit
The decision to quit USPK came after the institution implemented a uniform set of rules in all gyms. However, according to WCPKC, the decision is inconsistent with their values. For them, it actually is the gym’s individuality that makes everything fun and exciting. Plus, WCPKC seems to disagree with USPK’s proposal, requiring every participant, including competitors of all ages, to pay a minimum $60 fee.
You should also know that Independent Comp at Firestorm Galaxy in Moreno Valley, CA, will be the last competition to be held at the venue before it closes in May. Rumors have it that the organizer could actually tweak a few aspects of the main events and possibly add others.
For spectators, seats will only be limited to about 60 to 80 persons. Participants may bring one extra person to watch for free.
World Freerunning Parkour Federation (WFPF)
WFPF came to the scene in 2007 with the aim of encouraging the mainstream adoption of parkour. It hosts various competitions, including the USA Parkour Speed Cup and the Lady WFPF. While it has become so popular over the years, the situation surrounding its formation may actually surprise you.
It was in October when the first Red Bull Art of Motion was coming to an end, and the first world Champion, Ryan Doyle, was sustaining a shattered leg in a hospital in Vienna. But this was not really the first time this idea popped up. Victor Bevine, Francis Lyons, and David Thompson had already incubated it for about a year and a half before the launch.
And surprisingly, just two years after its formation, WFPF partnered with MTV, which helped the sport become even more popular. The institution has also worked with other organizations, like Athletes for Hope, to improve the game’s appeal.
For the first time in 2018, WFPF held the World Parkour Championship in Madin, Turkey. Just recently, between February 28th and March 2nd, the organization hosted some competitions at the Intrepid Parkour in Cedar Park, Texas.
It’s actually true that American sports have been shifting. As such, besides the popular mainstream options like football, you can now support more diverse options, including parkour competitions.
Parkour competitions seem to be in their infancy, but with more marketing strategies, we could actually see more crowds following them. And if you are stranded about which competition to watch, these few recommendations can help.