Games Features 24 Sports plus Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Games Village and Other Activities in Third Masters Event in History, Estimated to Attract 2,500 Athletes and $1.9 Million in Visitor Spending

Grand Rapids, Mich., Nov. 7, 2019 – Athletes 21 and older who want to compete on a national stage without leaving Michigan can now register to participate in the 2020 USA Masters Games (USAMG) coming to Grand Rapids June 19-28, 2020. The initial 10 sports that athletes can register for include basketball, golf, 5K, skeet, small bore rifle, swimming, Taekwondo, track & field, water skiing and synchronized swimming. The other 14 sports will open up for registration over the coming weeks and can be monitored on the website.

The USA Masters Games is a multisport, Olympic-style event for athletes 21 and older, featuring 24 sports, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a Games Village, social activities and entertainment. Only the third edition of the USA Masters Games since it started in 2016, the 2020 Masters Games will feature competitions at 27 venues across West Michigan in conjunction with the State Games of Michigan.

“It is such an honor to host the third USA Masters Games in the event’s history," said Eric Engelbarts, executive director of the Meijer State Games of Michigan who will serve as the local event organizer with the West Michigan Sports Commission. "We proved that West Michigan is a strong sports city with hosting our annual Meijer State Games for the past 10 years plus the 2017 State Games of America, and we see the 2020 USA Masters Games as the next big step in hosting the top national multisport events."

The inaugural USA Masters Games was held in Greensboro, N.C., in 2016, with 2,500 adult athletes competing in 24 sports ranging from badminton and baseball to water polo and weightlifting. Participants came from 10 countries on six continents and 45 states. The second USA Masters Games were held in 2017 in San Diego, where 2,000 athletes from nine countries on five continents and 38 states took part. Four new sports were added in San Diego.

"We are thrilled to partner with the West Michigan Sports Commission and State Games of Michigan on the 2020 USA Masters Games," said Hill Carrow, CEO of the USA Masters Games. “Their organizational experience demonstrated through hosting other multisport events plus excellent venues and hotel proximity made Grand Rapids a natural fit for the USA Masters Games."

With the 2020 Games, the USA Masters Games is returning to the original vision to be held every other year in the even year. The 2020 Games is expected to draw 2,500 athletes, many from states in the Midwest. The West Michigan Sports Commission predicts the estimated direct visitor spending to be $1.9 million, with more than 675 hotel room nights booked.

“This national tournament is a feather in West Michigan’s cap, and it’s a true testament to the strength of our local State Games of Michigan and all of our local tournament directors who lead the respective State Games events each year,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “This also adds some prestige to athletes 21 and up who regularly participate in our State Games events who can now compete at a national level. We encourage everyone to register and take advantage of this opportunity.”

The 2020 USA Masters Games will be held in conjunction with the Meijer State Games - Summer Games June 25-28, 2020. For most sports, athletes 21 and older registering for the Summer Games will automatically be registered to compete in the USA Masters Games (a few sports such as Water Skiing and Rowing will let athletes 21 and older select in which event they prefer to register). Similar to the State Games, no qualification is necessary to compete in the USA Masters Games, and all athletes 21 and older are welcome regardless of ability.

More information about the 2020 USA Masters Games will be released over the coming weeks and months, including registration for additional sports, Opening Ceremony details, and ticket sale information (including about a Super Pass that will provide access to the Opening Ceremony and all events plus discounts at area businesses). Businesses interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities should contact Eric Engelbarts at eengelbarts@stategamesofmichigan.com. Those interested in volunteering can visit usamastersgames.com/volunteer. For more information about the 2020 USA Masters Games, sign up for the newsletter and/or visit usamastersgames.com.

About the USA Masters Games

The USA Masters Games is a national sports festival for adult athletes, ages 21 and over. The Games feature 28 sports, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Games Village, social activities and entertainment. The inaugural

USA Masters Games took place in Greensboro, N.C., July 21 - 31, 2016. The second USA Masters Games was held June 22-25, and July 13-16, 2017 in San Diego. For more information, visit usamastersgames.com.

About the Meijer State Games of Michigan

Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level and embodies the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among Michigan residents. A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners. Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted more than 65,000+ athletes and contributed more than $25 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout West Michigan. For more information, visit stategamesofmichigan.com.

About the West Michigan Sports Commission

The non-profit West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) identifies, secures and hosts a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 734 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 1.2 million athletes and visitors, generating more than $344 million in direct visitor spending. For more information, visit westmisports.com and Facebook.com/WestMichiganSportsCommission and follow @WestMiSports.