The World Games 2021 will take place in Birmingham/Alabama/USA. This decision was announced by José Perurena, President of the International World Games Association, on Thursday, 22 January 2015.
This decision on the host city for the 11th edition of this multi-sports event is subject to successful negotiation of contractual conditions, and subsequent confirmation by the IWGA‘s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in April 2015. The agreement with the next host city will be signed right after the AGM. The 10th edition of The World Games will be staged in 2017 in Wroclaw Poland. The IWGA flag will be handed over to the representatives of Birmingham during the closing ceremony in Wroclaw on 30 July 2017.
Giving reasons for the decision in favour of Birmingham/Alabama, President José Perurena mentioned the excellent bid presented by the host city. "We are happy to showcase our sports in Birmingham in July 2021, and we are sure that we will be offered optimal conditions for our sportsmen and women there." José Perurena stated. Scott Meyers, Head of Birmingham Delegation, said: Being selected is an opportunity to represent Alabama and the USA. We are very excited. Our goals? This is simple, we want to host the best World Games ever. We are aiming to provide for the athletes the best atmosphere to their best performance."
Birmingham offers all prerequisites to stage an event like The World Games. The IWGA President added. This refers not only to the required sporting venues and infrastructure. The city also meets expectations in terms of organizing skills and the support of the city administration and the National Olympic Committee.
So, after Santa Clara 1981, the inaugural edition, The World Games will return to the USA. Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. More than 3.4 million people live within 100 miles. It will be the first time that the city hosts an international multi-sport event.