Mikaela Nadolski • November 29, 2021

What Is The State Games of America?

The 2024 State Games of America will be in San Diego.

state games of america 2024 san diego

It's likely that you've seen the "State Games of America" around quite a bit lately — especially from the Cal State Games' social media pages and newsletters. Well, that's because San Diego is hosting the 2024 State Games of America. If you're considering attending the SGA, or want a better understanding of what it is, you came to the right place.


"The State Games of America is a biennial Olympic-style event featuring competition between State Games medal winners (gold, silver, bronze) from across the nation."


Who can attend the State Games of America?

As mentioned above, the only athletes eligible to compete in the SGA are medal winners from National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs, including the Cal State Games. Normally, we would say, ask yourself: "Have I won a gold, silver or bronze medal in the past couple years from the Cal State Games?" However, since the 2024 State Games of America are being held in California, ALL California and Nevada residents are eligible to compete.


If you're not from California or Nevada, then there are a few ways you would qualify for the 2024 State Games of America in San Diego.

  • 2022 (after July 1): All gold, silver and bronze medalists qualify from National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs, both Winter and Summer. Any medalist from the 2022 SGA held in Ames, Iowa qualifies.
  • 2023: All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer.
  • 2024 (before July 1): All gold, silver, and bronze medalists qualify from NCSG Member State programs, both Winter and Summer.
  • Any medalists from the 2022 State Games of America are eligible to compete in 2024.


What is the sports lineup?

Something to keep in mind is that not every sport that we host is eligible in every State Games of America. For example, some states have water skiing, but the Cal State Games do not. It is up to each host state of that year's State Games of America to determine the sports lineup. In the 2024 State Games of America, since it's hosted in San Diego, the following sports offered by the Cal State Games are in the lineup: Archery, Artistic Swimming, Badminton, Basketball, BMX Racing, Climbing, Diving, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Footgolf, Ice Hockey, Judo, Pickleball, Powerlifting, Rugby, Skateboarding, Softball, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.


Is the State Games of America worth it? 

Absolutely! What's so special about the SGA is that it truly gives the Olympic experience of competing against the best of the best in a celebration of sports. Similar to the Cal State Games, the SGA has a huge Opening Ceremony with a Parade of Athletes from all 50 states in addition to entertainment and the Lighting of the Cauldron. Athletes have a once in a lifetime chance to meet athletes from all over the nation, and compete against the nation's best athletes in a plethora of sports. On top of that, SGA is hosted every two years, so our athletes have the chance to continually qualify for the SGA, compete against the nation's best and visit a new host city every two years.


When is the next State Games of America? 

Every two years, a new host city is named to put on the upcoming year's State Games of America. The next State Games of America will be in 2024 in San Diego, California. 2024 will host more than 20 sports with three national championships! Here are previous cities who hosted:

  • St. Louis (1999, 2001)
  • Hartford (2003)
  • Colorado Springs (2005, 2007, 2009)
  • San Diego (2011)
  • Hershey-Harrisburg, PA (2013)
  • Lincoln, NE (2015)
  • Grand Rapids, MI (2017)
  • Lynchburg, VA (2019)
  • Aimes, Iowa (2022)

How do I register to compete? 

The registration process will be available January 1st, 2024. You can sign up for the newsletter for upcoming information on the 2024 SGA.


The California State Games is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a quality amateur athletic event to foster the Olympic dream. Your donation will help us continue to provide competitive events for California’s amateur athletes and provide them the Olympic experience. 

June 4, 2025
Celebrate the Spirit of the Games at the 2025 California State Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente!
May 24, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 24, 2024) –The 2024 State Games of America presented by National University, a biennial Olympic-style amateur sports competition that features medalists from State Games throughout the country announced today that National University will offer up to 250 free individual sports registrations to Active Duty military members and their dependents. The California State Games, managed by Sports San Diego, successfully bid to bring the State Games of America to San Diego for this event that happens every two years. Approximately 10,000 athletes are expected to compete in the competition across multiple venues in San Diego County from July 17-21, 2024. San Diego last hosted the State Games of America in 2011. “We are so excited to welcome thousands of athletes from all around the country to San Diego for the State Games of America,” said Sports San Diego CEO, Mark Neville. “Likewise, we are so appreciative to our longtime partner National University for underwriting the entry fees for participants representing our military community. In many ways this is going to be a very special event that is going to provide San Diego with a tremendous impact.” “National University is in and of San Diego, and we are thrilled to see the State Games of America coming to San Diego this summer,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of Veteran-founded, nonprofit National University, at which 50% of undergraduate students are military affiliated. “The dedication and hard work of these athletes parallels that of the military community and serves as inspiration to striving National University students to successfully achieve their goals. We wish all the competitors the best of luck in the Games.” The National Congress of State Games (NCSG), created in 1986 as the official association of State Games organizations nationwide, began with New York's Empire State Games in 1978 and has since grown to encompass 30 Summer State Games and 10 Winter State Games, engaging over 265,000 athletes and 50,000 volunteers annually. Active Duty military members and their dependents participating in individual sports can find the link to verify their ID on sport registration pages, where, following verification, they will be provided instructions on how to redeem their registration. All questions about the 250 complimentary entries into the 2024 State Games of America hosted in San Diego can be directed to info@stategamesofamerica.com . All California and Nevada residents can register for the State Games of America just like they would for a traditional California State Games. Athletes from any other National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Member State programs must meet qualification criteria to participate. For further information and eligibility, visit stategamesofamerica.com. # # # About California State Games California State Games (CSG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the largest amateur sports festival in the state. As a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee, CSG have hosted their Olympic-style event since 1988. As of 2023, CSG is managed by Sports San Diego. About Sports San Diego Recognizing that San Diego is a premier tourist destination, the mission of Sports San Diego, a non-profit 501c3 organization, is to generate tourism, visibility, and economic impact for the San Diego region by producing the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, Rady Children’s Invitational, California State Games and recruiting outstanding sports events and experiences to San Diego. Since 1978, the association has generated more than $1 billion in economic benefit for the San Diego region. About National University National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu . # # www.sportssandiego.org # #
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