A2 Sports Commission Makes Waves on the Water

The Ann Arbor Sports Commission made quite the splash in the community with its first fully owned and operated event: the inaugural Ford Lake Cup, which occurred on April 26, 2025.

This milestone further solidifies the Ann Arbor Sports Commission as a leader in bringing top-notch sporting events to the region and sets the stage for Ypsilanti’s rise as the Midwest’s premier rowing destination.

Turning Ford Lake into a state-of-the-art, eight-lane championship rowing course was a true labor of love by the Ann Arbor Sports Commission, which partnered with both Eastern Michigan University and Olympic architect Tim Royalty to make this happen.

Fans recognized this historic debut with cheers for the Eagles as they competed on their amazing new course. This event has come and gone – but event planners like you are always welcome to contact the Ann Arbor Sports Commission’s excellent planning team to schedule your next event or just get out on the water.

The Ford Lake Cup will be followed by another large-scale event in RowFest – set for July 12–20, 2025. More than just a race, RowFest 2025 is a celebration of rowing culture and will host both competitive racers and newcomers to the sport.

For more information, visit the Ann Arbor Sports Commission.