Slowpoke Divas

text plus women cyclists 2019 national senior games

2020 Senior Games & Senior Olympics in the U.S.

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by

Bonnie Parrish-Kell
in

UPDATE MAY 24, 2020: Only a few state senior games remain hopeful in holding their multisport competitions this fall. Below is the most current information available.

Each year thousands of athletes ages 50 and better challenge themselves to reach personal bests by competing in senior games that are multisport competitions comprised of individual and team sports. Many dream of becoming a national champion at the biannual National Senior Games.

But first, all competitors must first qualify in their sport at a state senior games competition. This year – at the moment – those hopes and dreams may be at risk.

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is affecting the health of athletes and people around the world. State and local senior games organizers are monitoring developments to ascertain whether to cancel, postpone, or hold their events in this qualifying year for the 2021 National Senior Games. The Arizona Senior Games was the only event to successfully hold its 2020 competition and Texas Senior Games were interrupted by the pandemic. The National Senior Games Association is working with member organizations during this difficult time.

I created this 2020 state senior games listing page to help athletes like you adjust race and training plans, choose “Plan B” options, and keep the faith and motivation to train (as best as quarantine and stay-at-home orders allow). Use my 2019 Senior Games & Senior Olympics in the U.S. post as a starting point to find contact information about local senior games organized by groups, cities, and counties within your state.

UPDATE: May 14 — the National Senior Games Association announced an “adjusted qualification process” to help athletes qualify for the 2021 National Senior Games despite the numerous cancellations of state qualifying games. Read the announcement here and my thoughts about the changes here.

Key Tip: Connect with Senior Games Organizers Directly!

Organizers often have to make change to dates, sports, games, and other event aspects for reasons beyond their control, or at their discretion. Stay informed by:

  1. Following your state senior games and others on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
  2. Sign up for their e-newsletters if they offer one
  3. Contact the state senior games’ organizers directly if you have any questions, concerns or comments.

Bookmark this page for future reference. I’ll update this page as I hear of updates, corrections, and other news from event organizers and readers like you!

Original publication date: May 3, 2020 / Updated: May 24, 2020 at 2:25 p.m. P.S.T.

State Senior Games

Alabama

  • Alabama Senior Olympics, Aug. – Oct. Greater Birmingham area. ALSeniorOlympics.org — POSTPONED TO FALL, TBD

Alaska

  •  Alaska International Senior Games, Aug. 7-16. Fairbanks. AlaskaISG.org — CANCELED

Arizona

Arkansas

California

  • California Senior Games, events & dates TBD. CaliforniaSeniorGames.org — NEW INFO, MAY 24
    • The CASG is the state’s umbrella organization that coordinates regional events for athletes and organizes the state championship.
    • The San Diego Senior Games will assess on June 1 its ability to host the California Senior State Championships slated for the fall.
  • California Encore Games, dates TBD. EncoreGames.org
    • The CAEG provides athletes a “second chance” to qualify in their sport for the following year’s National Senior Games.
    • EDITOR’S NOTE: I doubt organizers will have either the opportunity or time to host this second-chance event.

Colorado

  • Rocky Mountain State Games, July 17-19 & 24-26, greater Colorado Springs. RockyMountainStateGames.org — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • The Rocky Mountain Senior Games ceased operations in 2019 and “passed the baton” to the Rocky Mountain State Games, a multisport competition open to all ages.

Connecticut

  • Connecticut Masters’ Games, fall dates TBD. Greater New Britain area. CTMastersGames.org — POSTPONED TO FALL
    • UPDATE: CTMG organizer, Connecticut Sports Management Group, Inc. announced  on May 4 the cancellation of its Nutmeg State Games, a multisports competition open to all ages, that was scheduled for June, July & Aug. due to the on-going uncertainty of the COVID-19 threat. Read more at NutmegStateGames.org
    • Organizers have an updated calendar with event dates for most sports, as of May 24

Delaware

  • Delaware Senior Games, fall dates TBD. Greater Dover area. DelawareSeniorGames.org — STATUS PENDING
    • In the first quarter issue of Torch News, organizers are “monitoring the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19…Due to the pandemic, the DSO registration/event package will hopefully be published sometime in late May to early June.” [per website as of May 3]
    • EDITOR’S NOTE: As of May 24, the events pages are blank, indicating to me the Games are still on hold.

Florida

  • Florida Senior Games, Dec. 4-13. Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County. FloridaSeniorGames.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24

Georgia

  • Georgia Golden Olympics, Sept. 23-26. Warner Robins. GeorgiaGoldenOlympics.org — EVENTS PENDING, 5/24
    • Organizers will decide by June 1 whether to host the Games. Registration is delayed until at least June 1.

Hawaii

  • Hawaii Senior Games, dates TBD. Contact Donna Ching at 808-351-1567 or pickleballpalms[at]gmail[dot]com
    • No answer yet (as of May 13) to our May 3 email about the Games’ status; will post the answer as soon I receive one.

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

  • Indiana State Games. Evansville. Indiana.fusesport.com — SPRING EVENTS POSTPONED, TBD
    • Archery, Sept. 13 / Basketball 3×3, Sept. 12 / 10K road race, Aug. 8 / Volleyball, Sept. 12
    • Triathlon: Spirit, Mind, Body Triathlon & Duathlon, June 27 — CANCELED, 5/24
    • Formerly known as the Indiana Senior Games

Iowa

  • Iowa Summer Senior Games, West Des Moines and other cities. IowaSeniorGames.org — JUNE EVENTS POSTPONED, TBD
    • Granny Basketball state tournament, softball tournament, cornhole, 5K & 10K races – CANCELED
    • Current schedule: Archery, July 18-19 / Cycling in conjuction with Iowa Games, Aug. 1-2 / Triathlon, July 12

Kansas

  • Kansas Senior Games, Sept. 11-20. Topeka. The Kansas Senior Games appears on SunflowerGames.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Note: The Sunflower Games is a multisport festival for Kansas-based amateur athletes of all ages

Kentucky

  •  Kentucky Senior Games, Aug. & Sept. Frankfort. KentuckySeniorGames.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • 10K road race in conjunction with Bluegrass 10K in downtown Lexington, July 4

Louisiana

  •  Louisiana Senior Olympic Games, fall dates TBD. Jefferson Parish. lsog1.org — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Also available: Information about other district senior games.

Maine

  •  Maine Senior Games, July – Oct. Portland. Maine Senior Games home page — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Open to athletes ages 45 years or better but must be 50+ in qualifying years for the National Senior Games.

Maryland

  •  Maryland Senior Olympics, June – Oct. Greater Baltimore area. MDSeniorOlympics.org — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Registration is being delayed as organizers are “actively monitoring the recommendations and directives of the CDC , Maryland Dept. of Health, and the Governor’s Office.” [per website as of May 2]

Massachusetts

  •  Massachusetts Senior Games, Aug. & Sept., MASeniorGames.org — JUNE EVENTS POSTPONED / NO UPDATES, 5/24

    • Organizers are working to secure venues for the postponed June events
    • Billiards, Aug. 10-14 / Pickleball, Aug. 14-16 / Table tennis, Sept. 19
    • Also holds winter games with Nordic skiing, alpine skiing & men’s ice hockey
    • Open to athletes 40 years or better but must be 50+ in qualifying years for the National Senior Games

Michigan

  •  Michigan Senior Games, Aug. / TBD. Rochester. MichiganSeniorOlympics.org –– NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Billiards, Bowling, Cornhole, (Basketball) Skills Challenge, and Table Tennis postponed, dates TBD

Minnesota

Mississippi

  •  Mississippi Senior Olympics, TBD. Biloxi & other cities. MSSeniorOlym.org — POSTPONED, TBD
    • Triathlon set for Aug 22 (Cultivation Nation Triathlon); cycling slated for Oct, no dates set [per website May 24]

Missouri

  •  Missouri State Senior Games, fall dates TBD. Columbia. MOSeniorGames.org — POSTPONED TO FALL, NO UPDATES, 5/24

    • Triathlon in conjunction with Show-Me State Games for July 19; organizers closely monitoring conditions.

Montana

  •  Montana Senior Olympics Summer Games, Oct. 1-3. Missoula.  montana.fusesport.com — NEW DATES! 5/24
    • Check website for event schedule

Nebraska

  • Nebraska Senior Games, Aug. 6-9. Kearney. NebraskaSeniorGames.com – NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Registration was to open May 15, however link is missing (as of 5/24)

Nevada

  • Nevada Senior Games, Sept. 6 – Oct. 26. Greater Las Vegas area. NevadaSeniorGames.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • The 5K/10K road races and the triathlon are in conjunction with BBSC Endurance Sports’ Pumpkinman Run and Las Vegas Triathlon events respectively.
    • The Dance competition was canceled on May 20 due to “venue and social distancing requirements” — announced via Facebook page 

New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire Senior Games, June 28 – Sept. 27. Various locations. NHSeniorGames.org
    • Organizers still planning to host games (per website 5/11); registration not yet open [as of May 24]
    • Some sports open to athletes ages 40+, but only those 50+ may qualify for the National Senior Games.
    • Formerly known as New Hampshire Masters Games and Granite State Senior Games.

New Jersey

  • New Jersey Senior Olympics, Sept. 11-13. Woodbridge Township. NJSeniorOlympics.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Organizers have delayed online registration until a final decision can be made if “we can reasonably assure the health and safety of our Senior Athletes and Volunteers.” [per website as of May 2 ]

New Mexico

  • New Mexico Senior Olympics. NMSeniorOlympics.org — CANCELED
    • On April 17, the NMSO board of directors met via Zoom teleconference call and agreed to cancel the summer games.

New York

  • Empire State Senior Games, Cortland. NYSeniorGames.com — CANCELED
    • Organizers are working with their sports coordinators, State University New York (SUNY) Cortland, and the community to determine a way to hold events, sport by sport.

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

  • Ohio Senior Olympics, Westerville. ohio.nsga.com — CANCELED, APRIL 27

    • Organizers announced the cancellation in their April 28 newsletter

Oklahoma

  •  Oklahoma Senior Games, Sept. 5 – Nov. 7. Greater Oklahoma City/Tulsa areas. OKSeniorGames.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24

Oregon

Pennsylvania

  •  Pennsylvania Senior Games, July 22 – Aug. 2. Greater Luzerne County. KeystoneGames.org/pennsylvania-senior-games – CANCELED, 5/20
    • The senior games were canceled on May 20 per the website [as of May 24] though a few events may be rescheduled for fall. Visit their website for more information.

Rhode Island

  •  Rhode Island Senior Olympics, June, Aug., Sept & Oct. Rumford. RISeniorOlympics.org — NEW DATES ADDED, 5/24

South Carolina

  • South Carolina Senior Sports Classic, NEW DATES Oct. 29-31 & Nov. 6-7. Florence. SCSeniorGames.com — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Open to athletes ages 40+ but must be 50+ to qualify for the National Senior Games.
    • Registration will re-open on Aug. 1 [as of 5/14]

South Dakota

Tennessee

  • Tennessee Senior Olympics, June 21-27. Williamson County. TNSeniorOlympics.com — POSTPONED TO FALL, TBD
    • Note: Open only to state residents or those who live within 30 miles from the state border.
    • Organizers are working to secure new dates and venues for as many of their sports as possible [per website, 5/24]

Texas

  •  Texas State Senior Games, fall dates TBD. San Antonio. TexasSeniorGames.org — POSTPONED TO FALL, TBD — NO UPDATES, 5/24

    • Cycling road races and time trials, and the Ladies Basketball Tournament were held prior to COVID-19 forcing organizers to postpone the rest of their event schedule. Results posted here.

Utah

  • Huntsman World Senior Games, Oct. 5-17, St. George. SeniorGames.net — NO UPDATES, 5/24
    • Organizers continue to monitor the situation, keeping the health and safety of all paramount first and foremost, and will announce on July 31 whether the fall event goes on or is canceled. Registration is open. Read more including their refund policy. [per their website as of May 3]

Vermont

  • Vermont Senior Games, Apr. – Oct., various locations. VermontSeniorGames.org — EVENT STATUS VARIES, NO UPDATES, 5/24

    • 10K road race, racketball, and swimming have been postponed. Visit the VSG News page for updates [per their website as of May 3]

Virginia

  •  Virginia Senior Games, Henrico. VirginiaSeniorGames.org — CANCELED, 5/24

    • Organizers are adhering to state’s stay-at-home order through June 10, and are working with community facilities to reschedule then conduct events. Visit their website to stay informed. [per their website as of May 3]

Washington

Washington, D.C.

West Virginia

  •  West Virginia Senior Sports Classic, fall dates TBD. Charleston. WVSSC.com — POSTPONED TO FALL, TBD, NO UPDATES, 5/24

Wisconsin

  •  Wisconsin Senior Olympics, July 26 – Sept. 13. Various cities. WISeniorOlympics.com — EVENT STATUS VARIES
    • Organizers have posted an updated schedule with most events slated for Aug. [per website May 24]

Wyoming

  •  Wyoming Senior Olympics. Aug 5-8. Cheyenne. WYSeniorOlympics.com — CANCELED
    • Organizers made the 5/6/2020 announcement on their home page.

An Event for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces

  • National Veterans Golden Age Games, June 22-27. Madison, WI — CANCELED
    • The United States Veterans Administration produces this premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program, the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
    • If you served in the U.S. armed forces, then check this out!
 
Sources: National Senior Games Association, senior games’ websites, & Google search

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