National Senior Games Names Tulsa A 2027 Host City

Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Birmingham, Alabama, have been selected as the host cities for the National Senior Games in 2027 and 2029, respectively, the National Senior Games Association, Inc. (NSGA) announced Tuesday.

The announcement marks Tulsa’s first time hosting the biennial event and Birmingham’s second, following its 2017 debut.

The National Senior Games, which draw more than 11,500 athletes aged 50 and older, feature over 25 sports during two weeks of competition. In addition to athletic achievements, the event highlights active aging and generates significant economic benefits. The most recent edition, held in 2023, brought an estimated $32 million in economic impact.

“We’re excited to partner with leaders in Tulsa and Birmingham to bring the National Senior Games to these thriving sports destinations,” said NSGA President & CEO Susan Hlavacek. “Our athletes will enjoy the excellent venues, unique attractions, flourishing cultures, and easy-to-navigate geography in these cities. Interest in senior athletics events is growing in cities across the country, and we saw this reflected in a strong host bid cycle.”

Both cities were included in the Sports Business Journal’s list of “2024 Top Cities for Sports Events” among cities without a major professional sports team.