Happy Valley, PA to host 2026 State Games of America
State College - July 9, 2024 - Joined by officials from the National Congress of State Games and the Keystone State Games, HVSEA Executive Director Eric Engelbarts announced that Happy Valley would host the prominent athletic competition July 28-Aug. 2, 2026. 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.
New to Happy Valley, the event and its impact on the economy and ability to elevate destination awareness is well known to Engelbarts. As former Executive Director of the Michigan Sports Alliance, Engelbarts 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. The marketing and branding value of hosting an event of this stature is an amazing ancillary benefit,” he said. “Like IRONMAN®, it is an event that will take support from the community, which has been incredible.”
National Congress of State Games Vice President Chip Hofler said Happy Valley’s selection as the host for the 2026 State Games of America is a testament to its dedication to sports and community.
“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,” he said.
Keystone State Games Executive Director Jim Costello said his organization is thrilled 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. We look forward to bringing together athletes from across the nation to compete in Happy Valley,” he added.
Engelbarts said priorities for the 2024-25 fiscal year also include growing the local entertainment sector, which is an HVSEA area of focus along with sports. The HVAB and HVSEA will soon release the results of an Arts & Culture Economic Impact Study by EConsult Solutions. The study results will serve as a benchmark for growth.
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