THE OPPORTUNTIES ARE LIMITLESS

We Are the AAU

For more than a century, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has stood as the most trusted and respected name in amateur sports. When you align your tournament with the AAU, you instantly elevate your event’s credibility, visibility, and value. Families, coaches, and sponsors recognize AAU as the gold standard in youth athletics. 

The real AAU is an organization with clear standards, strict procedures, and a mission to create “Sports For All, Forever.” The AAU is built on fairness, safety, and opportunity for all athletes – supported by clear standards, transparent procedures, and a mission rooted in integrity.

National Recognition & Exposure

AAU Basketball is one of the largest and most recognizable youth basketball ecosystems in the world. This is the starting point for some of the greatest players in the game. By licensing your event through the AAU, you tap into a nationwide network that reaches tens of thousands of coaches, athletes, teams, and alumni

Comprehensive Insurance & Compliance Protection

AAU offers one of the most robust insurance programs in youth sports – covering coaches, athletes, volunteers, and facilities! 

With medical liability coverage, an AAU membership provides peace of mind for operators, venues, and families alike. 

For more information on the AAU insurance program: www.aausports.org/insurance

Streamlined Registration & Simple Event Management

With AAU’s national database and online registration system, managing your event has never been easier. 

• Instantly verify athlete eligibility
• Manage rosters & collect fees securely
• Generate detailed reports
• Create detailed schedules

With the AAU platform you’ll save time, reduce errors, and allow yourself to focus on what matters most – running a top tier tournament

Revenue & Growth Opportunities

AAU’s tested and proven structure gives event operators multiple avenues to grow financially. Through licensed AAU events, sponsorship connections, and vendor relationships, you gain access to scalable revenue-sharing opportunities that will elevate a local tournament into a profitable annual tradition.

Road to AAU World Championships & 
AAU Junior Olympic Games

AAU events are more than just local competitions – they’re part of the road that leads to major championships, including the AAU Basketball World Championships and the AAU Junior Olympic Games!

HOST A QUALIFIER: Hosting a qualifying or an invitational event positions your tournament as a gateway to the national stage. Give athletes something bigger to play for and teams a reason to return every year.

Administrative Support

You’re never on your own. AAU provides templates, operational guides, marketing assets, and experienced staff to assist with everything your event needs. We are here to help you with licensing, compliance, event management, and more. Our governance framework ensures consistency and fairness – protecting your reputation while empowering your success.

True National Championships

AAU hosts the only legitimate national championships in youth basketball, with more than 1,000 teams competing annually in state-of-the-art venues like Disney’s Wide World of Sports, the Orange County Convention Center, and facilities across Virginia.

• AAU Boys and Girls World Championships bring in thousands of teams from every corner of the country and US territories
• AAU Memorial Day Classic brings in more than 600 teams to Orlando each year
• AAU Easter Classic brings in more than 200 teams to Disney and the Convention Center

Every event is held to the highest operational standards, providing lasting memories for athletes all over. Beyond national and world championships, AAU licenses regional and local tournaments across the US.

The “Real AAU” Difference

The AAU is committed to safety, fair play, and sportsmanship at all levels.

• Strict Background Checks: every coach and administrator must pass a thorough screening before participation
• Verified Fair Play: mandatory age and grade verification ensures a level competition
• Zero Tolerance for Fighting: sportsmanship is non-negotiable. Any participant involved in fighting faces suspension or removal
• Insurance Protection: medical and liability coverage is always included to safeguard everyone involved

Training & Development for All Athletes

AAU is investing directly in athlete development. Under the leadership of a newly appointed National Director of Training – a former Division-1 coach and long-time AAU leader – AAU has launched skills clinics to support player growth at every level.

We Are Not a Circuit

Unlike the “circuit” models run by sneaker companies, AAU is not pay-to-play or travel mandated.

Families aren’t forced into expensive, mandatory travel schedules. Instead, AAU offers opportunities – not obligations – for teams to compete at a high level.

Working with AAU

AAU Basketball gives event operators:

Legitimacy through a nationally trusted brand

• Protection with industry-leading insurance and compliance standards
• A simple and streamlined registration platform 
• Growth via marketing exposure and financial opportunities
• A fair playing field for all involved
• A respected brand with over 150,000 basketball members
• Local and national tournaments with experienced staff to help manage
• Purpose by contributing to a national mission of youth development

Sports For All, Forever

Together, we’re creating meaningful experiences that shape the next generation of athletes. We believe every athlete deserves the chance to play in a safe, structured, and empowering environment – regardless of background or financial situation. 

AAU’s motto is “Sports For All, Forever.” Creating limitless possibilities is what drives the AAU. 

Questions?

For further information on becoming an Event Operator, contact Mike Killpack at killerpup@comcast.net