The eyes of the sports world will be on Birmingham for 11 days in July. The World Games 2022 kick off in Birmingham on Thursday and will run through July 17.
A total of 3,600 athletes are taking part in 35 sports at 15 venues in the region for 11 days of competition. The sports range from artistic sports, ball sports, precision sports and martial arts.
Here are five things to know about the World Games.
ON THE TEAM:Alabama softball places Montana Fouts and Haylie McCleney on Team USA for 2022 World Games
EXHIBITION GAMES:Montana Fouts, Haylie McCleney, Team USA softball to play at Choccolocco Park in July
How to purchase tickets
Tickets can be purchased by individual sports, by venue or purchase day passes to take in different sports on the same day. Tickets can be bought at https://am.ticketmaster.com/twg2022/.
A ticket is required for every session. Children 2 and under are free at all venues.
Gates open 30 minutes before the start of the competition or the start of the session time.
Concessions will be available at every venue.
Opening, closing ceremonies and free concerts
The World Games will kick off with an opening ceremony Thursday at 8 p.m. at Protective Stadium. The night will feature a live concert with an all-star lineup of performers, including Nelly, Sara Evans, Yolanda Adams, Alabama, and Reuben Studdard, among others.
On July 17, the World Games will conclude with another live concert with performances headlined by Lionel Richie, as well as the Blind Boys of Alabama, Pastor Mike Jr. and Yung Bleu and others.
Free concerts, entertainment vendors and food trucks will be at the World Games Plaza, CitywalkBHM, for 14 days. Performances will start at 3 p.m. each day. Big Boi, Lupe Fiasco and Big Head Todd & The Monsters are all set to perform. Here is a link to the full Plaza schedule.
Venues and sports
Fifteen venues across the region will be hosting events. Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham will host water sports, while lacrosse will be played at UAB’s PNC Field, karate at Birmingham-Southern College’s Battle Coliseum, flag football at Legion Field and gymnastics at BJCC Arena.
Kickboxing and sumo wrestling will compete at Boutwell Auditorium. Sloss Furnace will feature sport climbing, Parkour and beach handball. Avondale Park will host archery. The CrossPlex will host canoe polo and inline hockey. Barber Motorsports Park will host canopy piloting.
Led by Alabama stars Haylie McCleney and Montana Fouts, Team USA will compete against other countries in softball at the Hoover Met.
Last World Games
The 2017 World Games took place in Wrocław, Poland.
Russia secured first place in the medal table with 28 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals. Germany (17 gold/10 silver/14 bronze) was second while Italy (16/13/13) was third.
The US finished ninth with seven gold, 10 silver and five bronze medals.
Road closures
With a heavy amount of traffic and events taking place, the City of Birmingham has announced road closures for the BJCCC/Protective Stadium/downtown area:
- 12th Avenue North from 16th Street North to 25th Street North
- Rev. Abraham Woods Boulevard from 17th Street North to 25th Street North
- 6th Avenue North from 18th Street North to Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard
There will be rolling closures for certain locations and events on July 10-11 and July 16-17.
Information for all the parking locations and times can be found at https://twg2022.com/ride/#1653314261184-ba22fd5d-2c4b.
Contact Ehsan Kassim at 256-300-5313 or ekassim@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim.
