Thank you to The World Games 2022 [PHOTOS]

After 11 days of exciting competition, years of planning and work from thousands of volunteers, staff members, partners, athletes and more, The World Games 2022 (TWG 2022) is officially over. Whether you enjoyed an event in-person, tuned in online or were a part of making it all happen, hats off to you! Let’s take a dive into who was behind the event + what’s next.

11 days + a lifetime of memories

TWG 2022 was a groundbreaking time in Birmingham’s history—the first event of this scale in our city. Beyond making history for Birmingham, these Games also set new precedents for future World Games to come.

TWG 2022 was the most accessible sporting event ever, thanks to a partnership with Lakeshore Foundation and Drummond Company. Sports like wheelchair rugby were included as part of the games, instead of in a separate sporting event. Plus, inclusion and accessibility were a part of the planning from day one.

Thank you to volunteers + staff for showing off Southern hospitality

Something as big as TWG 2022 couldn’t happen without help from thousands of volunteers, and Birmingham locals showed up and showed out.

Find out more about volunteers and their experience, including what stood out to them.

Now that The Games are over, we’re excited to see what’s next for the amazing staff involved—including Nick Sellers, TWG 2022 CEO.

“I am forever grateful to the people of this city and region. I’ve always believed in you. We knew that if we could find something to rally around together – on the world stage – that our true potential would become unlocked. And while we may not have met everyone’s expectations, we certainly tried. Overall, you did it Birmingham. And I mean the ‘Greater Birmingham’. From Warrior to Gardendale, to Bessemer and Trussville, to Pelham and Hoover, to Mountain Brook and Leeds, and all cities in between – we are all in this together.”

Nick Sellers in a Facebook post

Founding sponsors 🤝 TWG 2022

Dozens of local organizations played a major part in bringing TWG 2022 to life. Here’s a look at the founding sponsors:

• State of Alabama, City of Birmingham + Jefferson County
• Alabama Power—opening ceremony
• Regions—The World Games Plaza
• Protective—Athlete of the Day/Month/Year/Games
• Shipt—The World Games 2022 Experience
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama—education program
• Medical Properties Trust—children’s program
• Altec Inc.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham—athlete’s village
• Dai-ichi Life Holdings
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company United—closing ceremony
• TISSOT—official timekeeper
• Microsoft
• UAB Medicine—official medical provider

How TWG 2022 tickets will support Ukraine

TWG 2022 was an especially important experience for athletes from Ukraine who came to Birmingham amidst the war. The Ukrainian athletes are bringing back 45 medals (the third highest amount) and $54,000 to support their sports programs.

What was YOUR favorite moment from TWG 2022? Tag @BhamNow to let us know.

Reviewed by Nathan Watson.