Nathan Benderson Park has been awarded four world-championship events and three World Cup events by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), starting in 2024. The first-ever combined canoe marathon and stand-up paddling world championships will be held at the park in 2026. Additionally, the park will also play host to the 2024 ICF Stand-Up Paddling World Championships, 2026 ICF Junior Canoe Sprint World Championships, and 2026 Under 23 Canoe Sprint World Championships.

These championship events are four of five that were awarded to the United States. The other award in the United States is to Oklahoma City, which was bestowed the 2026 ICF Canoe and Kayak Slalom World Championships. In total, the ICF awarded 15 significant events to the U.S. in 2022.

In the days after the ICF bids were awarded, three World Cup events were also added for the park: the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup, 2024 ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup, and 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Cup. Dates for these events have not yet been finalized.