By: Tabitha Bacus

The Meijer State Games of Michigan 2019 Summer Games are approaching. Registrations are flooding in and preparations for the opening and main weekends have begun. There are 10 sports in the Meijer State Games that draw the most athletes every year. Read on to learn about the 10 biggest sports in the Meijer State Games of Michigan.

1. Hockey – Hockey players across the state of Michigan have the opportunity to tryout for the Meijer State Games of Michigan hockey tournament.The only event in the Meijer State Games where regional teams are created, hockey is one of the Summer Games more well known events.

2. Softball – Softball comes in as one of the largest sports with three different tournaments: Coed, Girls Fastpitch and Men’s Slow Pitch. Only shooting sports has more tournaments with four. All three Softball tournaments hold their own in size and number of teams.

3. Baseball – Through a great partnership with Game Day USA, the Meijer State Games of Michigan baseball tournaments fills quickly each year. Spanning the three days of the main weekend, baseball will play at the Art Van Sports Complex.

4. Lacrosse – The girls lacrosse tournament, hosted by Pure Advantage Lacrosse, is held at Grand Valley State University. Featuring Youth, JV and Varsity teams, Lacrosse helps kick off the Summer Games on Father’s Day weekend every year.

5. Basketball – The Meijer State Games basketball tournament has grown into an event that is popular during both the Winter and Summer Games since its debut in the inaugural State Games of Michigan in 2010.

6. Wrestling – The wrestling competitions of the Meijer State Games are played in both the Winter and Summer Games. In the Summer Games, wrestlers get the opportunity to not only compete in the indoor wrestling competition, but to compete in the beach wrestling competition as well.

7. Figure Skating – Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club hosts the Meijer State Games figure skating competition which is also a competition sanctioned by US Figure Skating (#23133) and Skate Canada.

8. Rowing – The rowing tournament has been hosted by the Grand Rapids Rowing Association for ten years. They use the Meijer State Games of Michigan rowing tournament as their Grand Regatta.

9. Track and Field – Track and Field truly embodies the all ages spirit of the State Games with athletes from 3 to 100 years old competing in the Meijer State Games over the past 10 years. Led by the only 10-year Meijer State Games Sport Director in East Kentwood Track and Field coach Dave Emeott, Track is a great opportunity for athletes of all ages to interact and compete.

10. Pickleball – Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports and the Meijer State Games pickleball tournament is no exception. The pickleball tournament has the longest waitlist than any other sports due to its high demand. Led by the Grand Rapids Pickleball club, the pickleball tournament is held at Belknap Park.

Honorable mention goes to the swimming and tae kwon do tournaments which narrowly missed out on one of the top ten sports of the Meijer State Games spots.

Want to see your sport make the top ten? Register now and invite a friend! Registration is still open for most sports and is located on each sport’s page. Click the button below to find your sport and get registered.

Summer Sports Lineup