legion field world games 2021 conference edit — *City of Birmingham leaders met with the President and CEO of the International World Games Association at Legion Field. Photo by Chaise Sanders for Bham Now.*

Come July 2021, all eyes will be on Birmingham for the World Games 2021. 3,600 of the world’s best athletes from 110 countries are coming right here to the Magic City. The city’s gearing up for this pivotal event and the countdown has begun!

The World Games will take place July 15-25, 2021 and is expected to have a huge impact on Birmingham. Not only is it expected to generate $256 million but it’ll also show the world that our city is a force to be reckoned with.

2021 will mark the 40th anniversary of the World Games. Birmingham was chosen as the FIRST U.S. city to host the World Games since it began in Santa Clara, CA in 1981 and like Mayor Woodfin, we’ve got our game faces on.

woodfin cool picture The countdown to the World Games 2021 begins — Mayor Randall Woodfin and CEO of Bruno Event Team, Gene Hallman are ready. Are you? Photo by Chaise Sanders for Bham Now.

A Countdown You Don’t Want to Miss

Friday, January 24, leaders from around the world joined at Legion Field to kick off a countdown to the World Games 2021. Why Legion Field? The iconic “Grey Lady” will be the site of the opening ceremony.

World Games Countdown clock — The World Games 2021 revealed the newest countdown clock on the Highlands Ave. Bridge. Photo by Chaise Sanders for Bham Now.

The newest countdown clock to the World Games 2021 was unveiled and you definitely can’t help but see this one. If you’re driving on Red Mountain Expressway towards downtown, you’ll see the newest clock located on the Highland Avenue bridge. Commuters will be welcomed into the city with a reminder of the World Games followed by Birmingham’s beautiful skyline.

World Games 2021 By the Numbers

11 days
25+ venues
32 sports
100+ countries
600+ medals
1000+ credentialed media…including Bham Now 🙂
3,600 international athletes

Where Will the World Games Take Place?

legion field site of the World Games 2021 — Legion Field will host the World Games’ opening ceremony. Photo by Chaise Sanders for Bham Now.

You’ll be able to enjoy the World Games from all around Birmingham. The proposed event sites include:

Avondale Park
Barber Motorsports Park
Birmingham Crossplex
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
Birmingham-Southern College
Boutwell Auditorium
Legion Field
Oak Mountain State Park
Railroad Park
Sloss Furnaces
Spare Time Trussville
UAB

According to Nick Sellers, CEO of the Birmingham Organizing Committee, you won’t be able to go anywhere without seeing, hearing or feeling the excitement.