State College, Pennsylvania, to Host 2026 State Games of America
The National Congress of State Games has revealed that the 2026 State Games of America will take place in State College, Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance.
Eric Engelbarts, HVSEA executive director, made the announcement that Happy Valley would host the prominent athletic competition July 28 through August 2, 2026, in coordination with and the Keystone State Games.
The multi-sport Olympic-style sports festival for medal winners of National Congress of State Games-member events will bring more than 8,000 athletes and their supporters to compete in more than 30 sports.
“This event will not only showcase the talents of athletes from Pennsylvania and beyond, but also highlight the area’s rich cultural and recreational offerings,” said National Congress of State Games Vice President Chip Hofler.
Engelbarts is no stranger to the State Games format. As former executive director of the Michigan Sports Alliance, he created and grew the State Games of Michigan, which produced an annual estimated economic impact of $3.25 million.
“Similar to Ironman, hosting the State Games of America is a wonderful opportunity for Happy Valley, both economically and from a visibility standpoint,” Engelbarts said. “The marketing and branding value of hosting an event of this stature is an amazing ancillary benefit. Like Ironman, it is an event that will take support from the community, which has been incredible.”
Keystone State Games Executive Director Jim Costello said his organization is excited to partner with the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance for the 2026 State Games of America.
“The region’s exceptional facilities, vibrant community, and strong support for athletics make it an ideal host for this prestigious event,” Costello said. “We look forward to bringing together athletes from across the nation to compete in Happy Valley.”
