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Balloonists gather during the 2025 US Women‘s National Championship preceding the 2025 Hot Air Jubilee.  JTV file photo.  (September 14, 2026 11:20 AM ET) For the first time in its history, the FAI Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championship is coming to the United States and Jackson, Michigan has been officially selected as host city. Jackson has been officially awarded as host of the 6th FAI Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championship, scheduled for July 10–17, 2027. The prestigious event will bring the world’s top female hot air balloon pilots to Jackson County to compete for the ultimate international title. This announcement marks a significant milestone for both American and women’s competitive ballooning. First held in 2014, the Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championship remains one of the newer championships on the international ballooning calendar. The 2027 event will be only the sixth edition of the championship, with one cancellation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Balloon Federation of America in conjunction with the National Aeronautic Association partnered with the Hot Air Jubilee to submit a formal bid to host the 2027 championship during the original selection process. While the event was initially awarded to AIUIa, Saudi Arabia, earlier this year, the…