The National Senior Games Association, Inc. announced Tuesday Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Birmingham, Alabama, as host cities for the 2027 and 2029 National Senior Games, respectively. This will be the first time the National Senior Games is held in Tulsa and marks a return to Birmingham after The Games were hosted there in 2017.
The massive biennial competition attracts over 11,500 athletes ages 50-100+ to compete in 25+ sports over two weeks and generated an estimated $32 million in economic impact when last contested in 2023. The event also creates invaluable social impact by showcasing active aging.
“We’re excited to partner with leaders in Tulsa and Birmingham to bring the National Senior Games to these thriving sports destinations. Our athletes will enjoy the excellent venues, unique attractions, flourishing cultures and easy-to-navigate geography in these cities,” said Susan Hlavacek, NSGA President & CEO. “Interest in senior athletics events is growing in cities across the country, and we saw this reflected in a strong host bid cycle.”
Both communities were named in Sports Business Journal’s “2024 Top Cities for Sports Events” for cities without a Big Five sports team.
Conveniently located in the central United States, Tulsa fuses Southern comfort and cosmopolitan style. Tulsa’s sports resume includes hosting events with IRONMAN, NCAA, PGA, USA Gymnastics, USA Volleyball and more.
“It’s an incredible honor to be chosen to host the 2027 National Senior Games in Tulsa. A year ahead of Olympic events taking place in Oklahoma City, Tulsa will host one of the largest sporting events in the city’s history, putting Oklahoma on center stage in the sports world for two consecutive years. Thanks to our incredible community partners for helping bring this inspiring, thrilling sporting event to Tulsa,” shared Joel Koester, Tulsa Sports Commission Director of Sport Sales.
“The National Senior Games are an incredible sporting event, and we’re thrilled to have them in Tulsa,” said Renee McKenney, Senior VP of Tourism, Tulsa Regional Chamber, and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “This is a wonderful example of how Tulsa is a true destination for all. We can’t wait to welcome these amazing athletes and let our local attractions, restaurateurs, hoteliers and business owners shine, showing Tulsa really is the most welcoming city.”
The Birmingham region welcomes over 3.9 million visitors each year and regularly hosts sporting events of all shapes and sizes. Recent multi-sport events in the Magic City include The World Games 2022 and 2024 Transplant Games of America, with the 2025 World Police and Fire Games on the horizon.
“We could not be more excited to welcome the National Senior Games back to Birmingham in 2029,” said John Oros, President & CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is such a special event with an important mission, and it left an incredible legacy when we hosted in 2017 – welcoming more than 10,500 participants and generating $38 million in economic impact for Jefferson County. The Greater Birmingham CVB, in partnership with the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County, can’t wait to provide another exceptional experience that leaves an even bigger impact in 2029, and further establishes Birmingham as a premier destination for sports events.”
“Birmingham is thrilled to welcome the National Senior Games back to the Magic City after a successful event here in 2017,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. “Birmingham is quickly establishing itself as the premier sports destination in our region, and it’s only right to keep the spirit of competition and camaraderie alive in 2029. We can’t wait to see what those incredible athletes have in store for us – we’ll be there to cheer them all the way.”
To participate in most sports at the National Senior Games, athletes must qualify at a State Senior Games in the previous year. Dates for the 2027 and 2029 National Senior Games will be announced at a later time.
About the National Senior Games Association (NSGA)
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is a nonprofit corporation that promotes the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness and active aging to individuals aged 50+. NSGA is an Affiliate Organization Council Member of the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee and hosts the biennial National Senior Games, the largest qualified multi-sport event in the world for seniors. The Association is comprised of over 50 independent Member Organizations that conduct qualifying competitions. The 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana will be held in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, visit NSGA.com.
About the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is the official tourism and marketing organization for Birmingham and Jefferson County. Established in 1969, the non-profit agency generates positive economic impact by positioning the Greater Birmingham Region as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events, and domestic and international leisure travel. Birmingham and its neighboring municipalities welcome more than 3.96 million visitors each year, generating $2.52 billion in economic impact. Learn more at inbirmingham.com.
