The schedule for the 2017 Nastia Liukin Cup series has been released, which encompasses the series of invitationals competitions that serve as qualifiers for the 2017 Nastia Liukin Cup. This prestigious competition is a celebration of the top-tier level 10 gymnasts in the country and will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on March 3, 2017. 

For the second straight year, Newark's Prudential Center will host both the Nastia Liukin Cup and, on the following day, the 2017 American Cup.

The 36 participants in the Nastia Liukin Cup are selected through the Nastia Liukin Cup Series, which features 26 of the country's top gymnastics invitationals held throughout the United States. The invitationals participating in the Cup Series are listed below with the number of qualifiers in parentheses.

·       Atlanta Crown Invitational, Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 6-8 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Twistars Invitational, Dimondale, Mich., Jan. 6-8 (1 Sr.)

·       Brestyan's Invitational, Medford, Mass., Jan. 13-15 (1 Jr.)

·       Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 13-15 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       CGA Coaches' Spectacular, Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 13-15 (1 Jr.)

·       Legacy Elite Winter Classic, Chicago, Ill., Jan 13-15 (1 Sr.)

·       Star Struck Invitational, Atlantic City, N.J., Jan. 13-15 (1 Sr.)

·       Tampa Bay Turners Invitational, Bradenton, Fla., Jan. 13-15 (1 Jr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Sand Dollar Invitational, Orlando, Fla., Jan. 20-22(1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

·       Kim Zmeskal's Texas Prime Meet, Irving, Texas, Jan 20-22 (1 Jr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Fiesta Bowl Invitational, Chandler, Ariz., Jan. 27-29 (1 Sr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational, Indianapolis, Jan. 27-29 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

·       Metroplex Challenge, Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 27-29 (1 Sr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 3 -- 5 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

·       Buckeye Classic, Columbus Ohio, Feb. 3-5 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Chow's Challenge, Galveston, Texas, Feb. 3-5 (1 Jr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 3-5 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

·       Classic Spectacular, Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 3-5 (1 Sr.)

·       Gliders Invitational, Ontario, Calif., Feb. 10-12(1 Jr.)

·       Chicago Style, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 10-12 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.) - LIVE ON FLOGYMNASTICS

·       Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational, Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 10-12 (1 Sr.)

·       Charity Choice Invitational, Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 17-19 (1 Sr.)

·       Magical Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 17-19 (1 Jr.)

·       Excalibur Cup, Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 17-19 (1 Jr.)

·       Presidential Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 17-20 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

·       WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 17-19 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

A total of 18 junior and 18 senior gymnasts will advance to the Nastia Liukin Cup. Senior athletes must be 16 years of age or older, and junior athletes must be 15 or younger.

Gymnasts who compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Liukin and participate in a team photo.

Tickets for the Nastia Liukin Cup will go on sale this fall through gymnastics clubs participating in the American Cup discount ticket program, and will go on sale to the general public after the first of the year.

A portion of the proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup benefits the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund in partnership with the National Gymnastics Foundation (www.usagym.org/foundation).