Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival

Chicago International
Dragon Boat Festival

July 26th, 2025

The Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival returns for its 12th year, bringing together the thrill of high-performance racing and the rich heritage of dragon boat culture in one of the Midwest’s most scenic and accessible locations. Held at the stunning Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve)—just a short drive from downtown Chicago—this festival has become a standout on the Major League Dragon Boat (MLDB) circuit, attracting top-tier teams and spirited community crews from across the U.S. and Canada.

This event has a storied legacy of excellence. In 2015, GWN hosted the USDBF Club Crew National Championships, where the nation’s elite competed for a coveted spot at the 2016 IDBF Club Crew World Championships. Since relocating to Busse Woods in 2018, the festival has earned rave reviews for its lush setting, well-organized races, and welcoming atmosphere. Nestled in the Schaumburg/Elk Grove area, the venue offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban convenience—an ideal stage for intense competition and community celebration.

On race day, expect to share the water with a wide range of crews—from elite athletes and national champions to paddlers representing Fortune 500 companies, community teams, and enthusiastic international visitors. With races that challenge both speed and endurance, the Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival is a proving ground for serious paddlers and a launching pad for rising teams.

But the experience extends far beyond the finish line. Festival grounds buzz with energy thanks to the Cultural Village, where spectators can explore traditional arts, crafts, and performances, and the Health and Wellness Village, offering interactive booths, wellness services, and local products. Paddlers can recharge in the dedicated Athletes’ Village, a hub of camaraderie and team spirit.

This festival also proudly supports Adaptive Adventures, a national nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive sports. A portion of proceeds and on-site programming help bring inclusive recreation opportunities to athletes of all abilities.

Whether you’re racing, spectating, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival delivers an unforgettable day of sport, culture, and community in one of the region’s most beautiful outdoor venues.

Event Specs

verified_userADBA Member
sports_scoreSport & Community Divisions
waterDistances: 200m, 500m
supportInflatable PFDs Allowed
military_techBCP / ACP Ceremony
emoji_eventsIndustry Cups
rowingOptional Practice
health_and_safetyHealth & Wellness Village
fastfoodFood Truck Bazaar
music_noteCultural Performances

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 a program for solo paddlers or small groups.

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.

Event Details

Pricing

Category	# of Races	Before Jan 1st	Before May 1st	After May 1st
Sport Division Mixed/Women’s/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons (2 x 200m, 2 x 500m)	4	$1,195	$1,345	$1,495
Sport Division (Out-of-State) Mixed/Women’s/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons (2 x 200m, 2 x 500m)	4	$1,095	$1,195	$1,295
Sport Division (Out-of-Country) Mixed/Women’s/Open/ACP/BCP/Paradragons (2 x 200m, 2 x 500m) NOTE: Out-of-Country Rate does not qualify for MLDB rewards.	4	$600	$675	$750
Sport Division Secondary Division (2 x 200m, 2 x 500m) MUST consist of at least 90% of paddlers participating on a primary team.	4	$595	$645	$695
Community Division Mixed/Women’s/Open (3 x 500m)	3	$1,095	$1,245	$1,395
Community Division (Out-of-State) Mixed/Women’s/Open (3 x 500m)	3	$995	$1,145	$1,245
Practice Session		$100

Prices are in USD.

Payment Methods
We accept visa, mastercard or check.

Paying by check
You will receive a discount of $25 USD. This discount will be automatically applied during the registration process.

Introducing Event Guard
Offers your team peace of mind against the unknown. The rate for this event is $95 USD and must be purchased when registering your team for the event.
Cancellation or Postponement: If the event is cancelled or postponed more than 12 hours in advance of the scheduled first race, receive a full refund.
Cancel for Any Reason: Cancel anytime up to 30 days in advance of the event for any reason and receive a full refund.

For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.

Racing Divisions

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.

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

Address
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
The 2025 Site 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:

Cooking equipment and BBQ grills are not permitted on site.
Alcoholic beverages are not 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

Race Schedule
The 2025 Race Schedule will be posted on Monday July 21st.

For the 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 (i.e. non-profit, healthcare, big business).

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 23rd. 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

Stay tuned for entertainment and on-site activities for 2025.

Vendors

Marketplace: TBA

Food Vendors:

Frosty Dogs Food Truck
Pinoy Grill Food Truck

Interested in being a vendor? Email us at sales@gwnevents.com to find out more.

Parking

Free parking will be available within close proximity of your Athletes’ Village site. Please follow directional signage “Dragon Boat Festival Parking” to the parking areas.

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.c o m.

Results

Check out past event results.

2025

2024

2023

Additional Information

Accommodations

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

Travel

RENTAL CARS

Discount rates have been negotiated with Hertz Rent-a-Car for Major League Dragon Boat participants.

Hertz Rent-a-Car
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 use meeting code ZQGB615409.

Athletes Village

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	$325.00
10′ x 20′ Tent	$475.00
20′ x 20′ Tent	$625.00
Chair Rental	$5.00
Table Rental	$25.00

Prices are in USD.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Download or view a copy of the 2025 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 1-4 & 25-28: 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:	2:	3.
4:	25: Team Blue 1	26: Team Blue 2
27:	28:

Section 5-24 & 29-38: Reserved Space

Each space is 20’x20′ and can accommodate a 10’x10′, 10’x20′ or 20’x20′ tent.

5: Reserved	6: Reserved	7:
8:	9:	10:
11:	12:	13:
14:	15:	16:
17:	18:	19:
20:	21:	22:
23:	24:
29: Island City	30: Island City 2	31:
32:	33:	34:
35:	36: Motley Crew	37:
38: CHI Running Club

Practices

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 25th
5:00 – 5:50 pm	1. 2. 3.
6:00 – 6:50 pm	1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
7:00 – 7:50 pm	1. CHI Running Club 2. 3. 4.

Participants Checklist

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.