About National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is a multi-day Catholic youth conference gathering thousands of high-school-age teenagers and their adult chaperones from across the United States for prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment. Presented by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), it is widely described as the largest Catholic youth event in America, regularly drawing more than 20,000 participants in non-pandemic years. NCYC blends daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration with nationally known Catholic speakers and musicians, breakout sessions, an interactive exhibit hall called "the Village," service projects, and special papal encounters, all centered on a thematically chosen Scripture or saint each gathering.
Mission
In a distinctly Catholic setting, the National Catholic Youth Conference invites participants to encounter Christ, experience church, and be empowered for discipleship.
- Founded
- 1983
- Founder
- National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), founded in 1981 at the encouragement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Leader
- Christina Lamas, Executive Director of NFCYM (the presenting organization of NCYC), based in Washington, D.C.
- Reach
- The largest Catholic youth conference in America; peak attendance of approximately 25,000 participants. The 2025 NCYC drew 15,700 attendees in Indianapolis. Over 40+ years, NCYC has served hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from dioceses across all 50 U.S. states.
- Serves
- Catholic teenagers of high school age and their adult chaperones (group leaders, parents, priests, religious, and youth ministers) from parishes, schools, and diocesan youth ministries across the United States.
What is NCYC?
The National Catholic Youth Conference is described on its official site as "a powerfully unique multi-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high school age) and their adult chaperones." It is the premier Catholic youth event on a national scale, drawing participants from all across America for what organizers call a life-changing encounter with Christ. NCYC is created and presented by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), a nonprofit founded in 1981 at the encouragement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. NFCYM's broader mission is to support and strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ.
- Premier national-scale Catholic youth conference in America
- Multi-day gathering of Catholic high school teens and adult chaperones
- Created and presented by NFCYM
- Focused on prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment
- Mission: encounter Christ, experience church, and be empowered for discipleship
History of NCYC
NCYC launched in 1983 as a regional conference held in two cities simultaneously — San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC — and drew about 3,300 youth. Throughout the 1980s it continued in paired-city regional format (Phoenix/Biloxi in 1985, Portland/Pittsburgh in 1987, Louisville/Denver in 1989). In 1991 the conference merged into a single national gathering in Indianapolis with 7,200 attendees, and attendance grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s, peaking in the 22,000–25,000 range in cities such as Houston (2003), Atlanta (2005), Columbus (2007), Kansas City (2009), and multiple Indianapolis gatherings. The pandemic forced scaled-down events in 2021 and 2022 before the conference rebounded with 15,700 attendees in Indianapolis in 2025.
- 1983: First NCYC as regional conference (San Francisco + Washington DC)
- 1991: Merged into single national conference in Indianapolis
- 1997: 17,500 attendees in Kansas City ("Take it to Heart")
- 2005: 22,000 attendees in Atlanta ("Winds of Change")
- 2015: 25,000 attendees in Indianapolis ("Here I Am Lord / Aquí Estoy Señor")
- 2021: Pandemic-era 11,000 attendees in Indianapolis ("Ablaze")
- 2025: 15,700 attendees in Indianapolis ("I Am / Yo Soy") — first Digital Encounter with Pope Leo XIV
- 2026: Scheduled for Long Beach, CA ("Known. Seen. Loved.")
2026 NCYC: Known. Seen. Loved.
The next NCYC is scheduled for November 20–21, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802. The theme, "Known. Seen. Loved.," draws inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi's joyful witness and from the 2025 Digital Encounter with Pope Leo XIV. Organizers describe it as rooted in the Gospel truth that human dignity is a gift we cannot earn, inviting participants into a transformative encounter with the divinity of Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
- Dates: November 20–21, 2026
- Venue: Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Long Beach, CA
- Theme: Known. Seen. Loved.
- Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Leo XIV's 2025 digital encounter
- Passes go on sale November 22, 2025
- Participant Registration Due / Pass Sales Close: November 1, 2026
- Rooming Lists Due to Hotels: October 15, 2026
- 2027 NCYC Passes Go on Sale: November 22, 2026
2025 NCYC: I Am | Yo Soy
The 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference was held November 20–22, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The bilingual theme "I Am / Yo Soy" reflected on God's appearance to Moses through the burning bush and on how the Sacraments are the living story of God's love, uniting believers with Him through Jesus and the Church. The 2025 conference drew 15,700 attendees and featured a historic Digital Encounter with Pope Leo XIV on Friday, November 21, at 10:15 a.m. ET — a 45-minute real-time dialogue with thousands of youth in Lucas Oil Stadium, livestreamed globally on EWTN YouTube.
- Dates: November 20–22, 2025
- Location: Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
- Theme: I Am / Yo Soy
- Attendance: 15,700
- Featured Cardinal Christophe Pierre (Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S.)
- Keynote speakers included Bishop Joseph Espaillat, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, Archbishop Thomas Zinkula, Bishop Oscar Cantu
- Featured artists included Steve Angrisano, House Collective, Christopher Wesley
- Historic Digital Encounter with Pope Leo XIV — first of its kind
What to Expect at NCYC
NCYC is built around a mix of liturgical, catechetical, musical, and community experiences designed to bring teenagers into encounter with Christ alongside thousands of peers. Each day typically includes prayer, General Sessions in a main arena, breakout sessions in smaller rooms, and time in the Village — the interactive exhibit hall. The conference intentionally serves both youth participants and the adults who accompany them, with parallel adult formation tracks.
- Interactive Exhibit Hall ("the Village") — games, crafts, obstacle courses, meetups, Catholic shops, mission opportunities, Catholic colleges, challenges
- Mass & Adoration celebrated with thousands, led by American bishops
- Music & Worship led by top Catholic artists
- Inspiring Speakers — some of the best speakers in the Catholic space
- Breakout Sessions for youth and adults across multiple time slots
- Service Projects woven into the Village experience
The Village & Service
The Village is the primary source of interaction among teens at NCYC. Recent Villages have been organized thematically — e.g., 2021's "Holy Spirit Mall" with areas named after familiar stores — and have included dedicated service-project zones. In 2025, a "transformed" service area featured projects such as assembling hydration kits and blankets for people experiencing homelessness (with a goal of 1,000 packets), weaving "plarn" mats from plastic bags for the homeless in southern Indiana and Louisville, KY, T-shirt bag-making for medical supplies to Guatemala through Hearts in Motion, a food-and-security grocery challenge run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) advocacy letters to Congress on international aid. Exhibitors include Catholic universities, religious orders, mission organizations, and vendors selling books, rosaries, and Catholic-themed merchandise.
- Service area with multiple hands-on projects each conference
- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) advocacy and education booths
- Vocations and religious order exhibits
- Catholic colleges and universities recruiting
- Merchandise vendors (books, rosaries, apparel)
- Recent themes: 2021 "Holy Spirit Mall"; 2025 "transformed"
Speakers & Musicians
NCYC draws some of the most recognizable Catholic speakers and musicians in the country. Featured speakers and musicians at recent conferences have included Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat II, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT (host of the "Abiding Together" podcast), Archbishop Thomas Zinkula, Bishop Oscar Cantu, Steve Angrisano, Christopher Wesley, House Collective, Andy & Sarah Swafford, Sr. Elfie Del Rosario, FMA, Dr. Alex Gotay, Chenele Shaw, Rebecca Roseman, Braden Johnson, and others. Adult-session speakers have included Rick Grinstead and Christopher Wesley, while emcees have included Ali Hoffman, Cynthia and Evan Psencik, Gian Gamboa, Belen Rodriguez, and others.
- Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat II — keynote speaker and adult sessions
- Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT — keynote
- Meg Hunter-Kilmer — keynote
- Steve Angrisano — featured musician
- House Collective — featured worship band
- Andy & Sarah Swafford — speakers/musicians
- Archbishop Thomas Zinkula and Bishop Oscar Cantu — speakers
- Ali Hoffman — emcee
Digital Encounter with the Pope
A defining moment of the 2025 NCYC was the first-ever Digital Encounter with Pope Leo XIV on Friday, November 21, 2025. The Holy Father participated in a 45-minute real-time dialogue with young people gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and with thousands more joining from around the world via livestream on EWTN YouTube. The encounter is being referenced as a model for the 2026 conference theme "Known. Seen. Loved.," emphasizing the truth that every person is known, fully seen, and profoundly loved by God.
- First-ever papal Digital Encounter in NCYC history
- Held Friday, November 21, 2025 at 10:15 a.m. ET in Lucas Oil Stadium
- 45-minute real-time livestreamed dialogue
- Livestreamed globally on EWTN YouTube
- Inspiration for 2026 theme "Known. Seen. Loved."
Plan Your Group
Bringing a group to NCYC involves five core steps outlined by organizers: (1) purchase participant and chaperone passes; (2) reserve hotel rooms from the NCYC block; (3) register participants and submit digital consent forms; (4) submit Adult Safe Environment verification for each adult chaperone; and (5) attend NCYC. Group leaders set up an account in NFCYM Connect, and at least one paid pass is required before hotel reservations can be made. Adults must be 21+ to purchase passes; youth may not buy their own tickets.
- Step 1: Purchase passes via NFCYM Connect
- Step 2: Reserve hotel rooms in NCYC block (6 contracted hotels near Long Beach Convention Center in 2026)
- Step 3: Register participants with digital consent forms
- Step 4: Verify adult Safe Environment compliance
- Step 5: Attend the conference
- NFCYM members receive discounted ticket pricing
- Scholarships available for individuals and groups
Tickets, Hotels & Registration
NCYC pricing is tiered for NFCYM members versus non-members, with the member discount applied automatically at checkout (membership must be active before purchase). Passes go on sale November 22, 2025 for the 2026 conference; participant registration and pass sales close November 1, 2026. Room rates for 2026 range from $234 to $269 per room per night (exclusive of taxes, currently 17%), with a two- or three-night minimum stay depending on hotel. Most rooms accommodate up to four people. Using NCYC block hotel rooms helps underwrite the convention center rental cost.
- NFCYM member discount on passes
- Adults 21+ only may purchase passes
- Payments via Stripe (credit card, debit card, ACH)
- Hotel range: $234–$269/night (2026)
- Two- or three-night minimum stay in NCYC block hotels
- Passes are non-refundable but transferable
- Scholarships available via ncyc.us/scholarships
- 6 contracted hotels near Long Beach Convention Center for 2026
Presented by NFCYM
NCYC is created and presented by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), a nonprofit leadership alliance for Catholic youth ministry in the United States. Founded in 1981 at the encouragement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, NFCYM supports and strengthens those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ through pastoral formation events (like NCYC), educational webinars, a virtual membership program, and resources for youth and pastoral leaders across America. NFCYM also sponsors the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), whose members have been granted audiences with the Pope, and manages diocesan, organizational, and associate memberships.
- Founded 1981 at the encouragement of the USCCB
- Mission: support and strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ
- Offers pastoral formation, webinars, virtual membership, and resources
- Sponsors the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC)
- Led by Executive Director Christina Lamas (since 2016)
- Headquartered at 415 Michigan Ave NE, Suite 40, Washington, DC 20017
- Phone: 202-636-3825
Leadership & Board of Directors
NFCYM is led by Executive Director Christina Lamas, who joined the organization in 2017 after serving in youth ministry and confirmation roles for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish and psychology and a master's degree in social work from USC. The NFCYM Board of Directors provides fiduciary oversight, strategic direction, and mission alignment; it includes ex officio seats for the USCCB's Executive Director of Pastoral Ministries and Director of Ministry with Youth and Young Adults, along with elected directors such as Kent Schmitz, Kevin Molm, and Paul from the Diocese of Saint Cloud, MN.
- Executive Director: Christina Lamas
- Ex Officio: USCCB Executive Director of Pastoral Ministries
- Ex Officio: USCCB Director of Ministry with Youth and Young Adults
- Vice-Chair, Secretary, and additional elected board members
- Maria Parker noted among board members
- Based in Washington, D.C.
Get Involved & Support
There are several ways to engage with NCYC and NFCYM: bring a youth group to the next conference, exhibit in the Village, become an NFCYM member (associate, diocesan, or organizational), volunteer, donate, or simply follow and share on social media. Donations to NFCYM can be made online, by phone (Alma Leon, Engagement Manager, 202-301-5163), or by mail to 415 Michigan Ave NE, Suite 40, Washington, DC 20017. Conference attendees are encouraged to follow @ncycofficial on Instagram and TikTok and to tag NFCYM when sharing their experience.
- Bring a parish, school, or diocesan group to NCYC
- Apply to be a vendor, exhibitor, or service partner in the Village
- Become an NFCYM member for discounted tickets and resources
- Donate online, by phone, or by mail
- Follow @ncycofficial and NFCYM on social media
- Apply for individual or group scholarships at ncyc.us/scholarships
Past Events Archive
NCYC maintains an archive of past conferences at ncyc.us/past-events, with recap pages, videos, photos, stats, and theme information. The list of conferences spans from 1983 (San Francisco/Washington DC) through 2025 (Indianapolis), hosted in cities including Indianapolis, Long Beach, Kansas City, Columbus, Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Louisville, Denver, Portland, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Biloxi, and Washington DC. Each biennial conference has its own thematic title, often tied to a Scripture verse, saint, or aspect of Catholic identity, with several recent themes offered bilingually in English and Spanish.
- 2025: Indianapolis — I Am / Yo Soy (15,700)
- 2024: Long Beach — El Camino / The Way (3,000)
- 2023: Indianapolis — Fully Alive (12,000)
- 2022: Long Beach — Walking on Water (2,000–3,000, COVID-reduced)
- 2021: Indianapolis — Ablaze (11,000, COVID-reduced)
- 2019: Indianapolis — Blessed Broken Given (25,000)
- 2017: Indianapolis — Called / Llamados (23,000)
- 2015: Indianapolis — Here I Am Lord / Aquí Estoy Señor (25,000)
- 2013: Indianapolis — Signed. Sealed. Delivered. (23,000)
- 2011: Indianapolis — Called to Glory (23,000)
- 2009: Kansas City — Christ Reigns (23,000)
- 2007: Columbus — Discover the Way (20,000)
- 2005: Atlanta — Winds of Change (22,000)
- 2003: Houston — River of Life (22,000)
- 2001: Indianapolis — Hope at the Crossroads (25,000)
- 1999: St. Louis — Gateway (22,400)
- 1997: Kansas City — Take it to Heart (17,500)
- 1995: Minneapolis — Voices that Challenge (11,000)
- 1993: Philadelphia — Let the Spirit Ring (9,000)
- 1991: Indianapolis (7,200) — first national NCYC
- 1989: Louisville/Denver — Come and See (5,800)
- 1987: Portland/Pittsburgh — Love is Our Shelter, Together We Build (5,000)
- 1985: Phoenix/Biloxi (3,850)
- 1983: San Francisco/Washington DC (3,300)
