Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival July 26th, 2025
The 12th Annual Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival blends ancient culture with the excitement of sport and competition, transforming Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve) into the host venue for this high-energy day of racing. With festival grounds just a short drive from downtown Chicago, it’s no surprise that this event has grown to become one of the most popular destinations on the MLDB map for US and Canadian teams alike.
Don't have a team? We have the Experience Dragon Boat Program, click here for more information.
In 2015, GWN welcomed the USDBF Club Crew National Championships, during which teams fought for a berth at the 2016 IDBF CNCC World Championships. In 2018 the event was moved to Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve) in the Schaumburg/Elk Grove communities and was met with rave reviews. This beautiful park will provide an ideal setting for competitive racing and good community fun. You can still expect to share the water with teams representing Fortune 500 companies, some of the nation's best paddlers as well as many visiting Canadian teams.
In addition to its prime location on and off the water, this festival is proud to support Adaptive Adventures, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with disabilities, through year-round adaptive sports and recreation programs.
Spectators and paddlers are welcome to explore the Cultural Village or try out products and services from the Health and Wellness Village. Paddlers will have their own zone to relax and get race-ready in the Athletes’ Village.
CALLING ALL SOLO PADDLERS OR SMALL GROUPS
Are you looking to get on the water, but don't have a team? GWN is pleased to offer programs for solo paddlers or small groups through our Experience Dragon Boat Program!
Experience Dragon Boat Train and Race: A five-week program, with one practice per week and finishing up at the Major League Dragon Boat Festival in your community. This is a perfect opportunity to try the sport. We supply you with all the equipment needed - paddles and lifejackets – all you have to do is show up in clothes that can get wet!
Experience Dragon Boat Race Ready: A program designed for people looking for minimal commitment and just want to race. The program offers a 1-hour practice and then participation in the event.
Learn more by clicking here.
EVENT Details
Hover over each tab for more details
PRICING
Category |
# of Races |
Before Jan 1st |
Before May 1st |
After May 1st |
Sport Division Mixed/Women's/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons |
4 |
$1,145 |
$1,245 |
$1,445 |
Sport Division (Out-of-State) Mixed/Women's/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons |
4 |
$1,145 |
$1,345 |
|
Community Division Mixed/Women's/Open |
3 |
$1,045 |
$1,145 |
$1,345 |
Community Division (Out-of-State) Mixed/Women's/Open |
3 |
$1,045 |
$1,245 |
|
Sport Division Combination Team** (2 x 200m, 2 x 500m) |
4 |
$695 |
$845 |
|
Practice Session |
$100 |
|||
At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered. To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other. |
Prices are in USD.
Payment Methods: We accept all major credit cards or check.
Paying by check: You will receive a discount of $25 USD. This discount will be automatically applied during the registration process.
**Team must consist of all paddlers participating on a primary team. To get this rate, please call the GWN office: 416-962-8899.
For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.
Community Division vs Sport Division
A community team is considered to be a team that competes in less than 3 festivals in a season. Contact GWN if your team should be granted an exception.
Registration Add-Ons
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20 team site (footprint, not tent rental) within the Athletes' Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available. For more information, please refer to the Athletes' Village tab below. Teams may also order additional practices, please see the Practice tab below for more information.
LOCATION
Location: Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve) is located in Schaumburg and Elk Grove. The event will be staged on the South Pool. Free parking and access to the race site is gained by turning south off E/ Higgins Rd, just east of Highway 290.
For exact location/directions of the Event Site at Busse Woods, click here.
Site Map: 2024 map will be posted 1 week before the event.
Park Rules: We're committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for participants and spectators. Before heading out to the races, there are some things you should know:
No BBQs are allowed on site.
Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites. In addition to handing out waste bags during team check-in, there will be wastebaskets located throughout the Athletes' Village to maintain the park's cleanliness. Let's all work together to keep Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve) clean and green.
Medical Services: Medical services and first aid will be available on site. If you're in need of medical attention, please report to the medical tent for immediate assistance.
SCHEDULE
For the 2024 Race Schedule, please click here.
For the 2024 Race Structure & Points, please click here.
At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered.
To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.
Industry Cup Races: To qualify for a Cup race, at least 70% of the crew must be part of the same company or industry.
Outlined below are qualified teams racing in Industry Cups:
Non-Profit Cup: |
Health Care Cup: |
Big Business Cup (Open): 1. CVS Health 2. CVS Health 2 |
Live Results
Get live race results and progressions on race day using your phone. Visit www.gwnresults.com.
Race Marshaling
Marshaling for races will begin promptly half an hour before the first race of the day. Teams must be in the Marshalling area 30 minutes before their scheduled race throughout the day.
Race Day Check-In
Every Team Captain must check-in their team at Race Headquarters on race day. Registration will be open from approximately 6:30AM to 9:00AM. All waivers must be completed prior to check-in. Please visit the FAQ section for more information on how to check in on race day.
For a speedy check-in, ensure that all waivers for your team are completed. The electronic waiver deadline is 11:59AM EST on Wednesday, July 24th. Online access to waivers will be restricted after the deadline, after which only paper copies will be accepted on Saturday morning.
Team Captain's Meeting
There will be a Team Captain's meeting on Saturday morning, in the Marshalling Area to discuss race day rules and answer any participants' questions 1 hour prior to the first race.
AWARDS
Industry Cup: First place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.
Consolation Finals: First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.
Grand Finals: Third and second place teams will receive bronze and silver medals, respectively. First place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.
Awards Ceremonies
Ceremonies will take place after each Industry Cup, Consolation Race, and Grand Final Race. Staff will gather the gold medal-winning team as they come off the water. They will be escorted directly to the stage. Bronze and silver medal-winning teams will receive their medals in the dock area.
The A Division Grand Final for Mixed, Women's, and Open ceremonies will take place after all races are completed on Saturday.
ENTERTAINMENT
VENDORS
Marketplace:
- GWN Pro Shop
- 2024 TBD
Food Vendors:
- La Calaca 22 LLC
- Sausage Fest Food Truck
- Tacomotora
Interested in being a vendor? Email us at info@gwnevents.com to find out more.
PARKING
Free parking will be available within close proximity of your Athletes' Village site. Please follow directional signage to the parking area.
VOLUNTEER
Looking to have some fun on the docks? GWN is always looking for fantastic volunteers.
As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and fast-paced action that is dragon boat racing. You'll also get to experience the energy and excitement of the festival event atmosphere and be a part of a vibrant community of dragon boat enthusiasts. Volunteers will be needed to help with various tasks in ensuring the safety and smooth operations of the event through the various outlined tasks:
- Boat Marshalls: Will be on the dock assisting paddlers with getting in and out of the boats. This position should be filled by people who are comfortable around the water.
- Results Runners: Will be posting the results from the Timing Officials at the Registration Headquarters. This position requires neat handwriting.
- Team Marshalls: Will assist the Marshalling Manager in ensuring that all teams are ready to load into boats at the correct time to maintain smooth running of the races.
- Crowd Control: Will ensure one-way flow traffic from the Marshalling Area after boats are unloaded.
If you would like to volunteer, we can promise some food, drinks, a really cool shirt, and community service hours (if applicable) so please complete this Volunteer Form to join our team! To get more info or ask any questions, feel free to send us an email at volunteers@gwnevents.com.
Event Map
Additional Information
The official host hotel of the Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival is the:
Chicago Marriott Schaumburg
50 N Martingale Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 1-847-240-0100
Group Name: GWN Dragon Boat Festival
Group Rate: $129 USD per night - Double Bedded Room, breakfast for up to 4 people included in rate $119 USD per night - King Guest Room, breakfast for up to 2 people included in rate
Room Block Deadline: July 1, 2025
Reservations: Click here to book online or call 1-847-240-0100
RENTAL CARS
Discount rates have been negotiated with Hertz Rent-a-Car for Major League Dragon Boat participants.
Reservations
To book your vehicle, please click here and enter discount code CDP2188961 or call 1-800-654-2240 and quote the code.
At the time of reservation, you will receive 20% off the retail rate using the discount code above.
AIR TRAVEL
GWN is proud to offer Major League Dragon Boat participants discounts on flights with United Airlines.
United Airlines
Participants can save 5% - 10% off airfares if traveling within US 50 States and between US 50 States and Canada.
To book your travel, visit united.com or call 1-800-426-1122 and enter meeting code ZPH4656886 in the Promotions field.
Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20' footprint (not rental) in the Athletes' Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available to rent.
Team sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams must contact GWN to book their site after they have registered for the festival and paid fees in full.
Teams wishing to rent a tent can place an order using the Online Crew Management Tool by clicking "Get More".
Product |
Price |
10' x 10' Tent |
$300.00 |
10' x 20' Tent |
$425.00 |
20' x 20' Tent |
$550.00 |
Chair Rental |
$5.00 |
Table Rental |
$25.00 |
Prices are in USD.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Download or view a copy of the 2024 Venue Map.
2. Review the site availability grid below.
3. Select a site based on availability.
4. Email your selection to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
ATHLETES' VILLAGE SITE AVAILABILITY
Section 1-2 & 25-26: BCP/ACP/Paradragons
This section is reserved for Breast Cancer Paddler, All Cancer Paddler and Paradragon teams. Each space is 20'x20' and can accommodate a 10'x10', 10'x20' or 20'x20' tent.
1: Dragon Divas
|
2. TEAMSurvivor Madison |
25. Adaptive Adventures Team Blue |
26. Prairie Dragon Paddlers |
|
Section 3-24 & 27-38: Reserved Space
Each space is 20'x20' and can accommodate a 10'x10', 10'x20' or 20'x20' tent.
3: TIAA (10x10) |
4: Rut-Row (10x10) |
5: |
6: Team Walgreens |
7: CVS Health |
8: CVS Health 2 |
9: Island City Sisters |
10: Island City Fish & Chicks |
11: |
12: |
13: |
14: USTC Chicago |
15: Crouching Tiger |
16: Hidden Dragon |
17: DragoNG |
18: |
19: Chicago Sirens | 20:Chicago Phoenix |
21: |
22: |
23: |
24: |
|
|
27: Windy City Dragons |
28: Windy City Dragon Boat Club |
29: 21 Dragons |
30: Abbot ALCN Blue Dragons |
31: Tampa River Dragonboat Club |
32: Red Dragons Miami |
33: Flying Ears |
34: Motley Crew |
35: |
36: |
37: Peking University Alumni |
38: Chicago Typhoon |
Practices for the Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival will be held on South Pool at Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve).
Busse Woods
Elk Grove, IL, 6000
Each practice will be 50 minutes. Please arrive at the venue 30 minutes before your scheduled practice time. Practices will not be extended if a team is late.
Practice sessions may be purchased at $100 each, through the online registration system by clicking on the "get more" button.
Practices can only be confirmed once event fees are received in full.
Each paddler must complete an online waiver before attending a practice. A GWN representative will be on-site to check teams in, provide assistance, and collect waivers.
For more information on what to bring, etc. visit our FAQ Page.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Ensure team fees are paid.
2. Check practice availability in the calendar below.
3. Email your preferred date/time to bookings@gwndragonboat.com.
4. Let GWN know if you require a coach/steers.
Please allow 48hrs for confirmation of practice times.
Friday July 26th |
|
5:00 - 5:50 pm |
1. Dragon Divas 2. CVS Health (S) 3. TIAA (S) |
6:00 - 6:50 pm |
1. Prairie Dragon Paddlers 2. Crouching Tiger (S) 3. Hidden Dragon (S) 4. CVS Health (S) 5. TIAA (S) |
7:00 - 7:50 pm |
1. 21 Dragons (S) 2. Red Dragons Miami 3. 4. |
To review the final participant checklist, click here.
charitable partner
The Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival is proud to support Adaptive Adventures.
Since 1999, Adaptive Adventures has provided outdoor sports to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities and their families. Adaptive Adventures dragon boat racing team, Team Blue, has expanded to include teams in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Montana, and Puerto Rico. Adaptive Adventures establishes sustainable programs in unserved areas, educates the community on greater inclusion and accessibility, and innovates new equipment to reduce barriers. Adaptive Adventures participants experience greater independence, freedom, joy, exhilaration, and camaraderie in the great outdoors.