The California State Games remain a summertime experience for athletes of all ages across San Diego County — and the state, for that matter.
The amateur competition features 19 sports this year with something for every age group. Opening Ceremonies are scheduled July 14 at Pechanga Arena San Diego. An outdoor fun zone and beer garden are open from 4 to 5:45 p.m., followed by an athletes’ parade starting at 6:30 p.m., alongside live entertainment and a torch relay.
The lighting for the State Games cauldron is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
Water polo kicks off this year’s schedule July 7-9 at Coronado High School and San Diego Mesa College.
Divisions include coed 10-under and 12-under, boys 14-under, boys 16-under, girls 18-under, boys 18-under, women’s masters and men’s masters.
East County Aquatics and Sultan Polo are among East County teams entered in this year’s tournament, which is being held prior to the Opening Ceremony because of a conflict with the USA Junior Olympic tournament.
Other sports on this year’s schedule include archery, artistic swimming, badminton, basketball, BMX, climbing, diving, field hockey, judo, pickleball, rugby 7s, skateboarding, softball, surfing, swimming, track and field, weightlifting and wrestling.
Venues are spread around the county.
Softball will take place July 14-16 on East County and South County fields.
Archery will return to the Easton Archery Center for Excellence July 8 at the Chula Vista Elite Athletes Training Center.
Artistic swimming is scheduled July 15 at Allied Gardens pool while basketball is scheduled July 14-16 at Alliant University.
Diving is scheduled July 15 at the Alga Norte Aquatic Center in Carlsbad while footgolf is scheduled July 15 at the Mission Bay Golf Course.
Judo is scheduled July 16 at Montgomery High School in Otay Mesa while rugby 7s is scheduled July 15 at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos.
Skateboarding is scheduled July 15-16 at the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas while surfing is scheduled July 13 in Ocean Beach.
Swimming is scheduled July 15 at Coronado High School while track and field is scheduled July 15-16 at University City High School.
Wrestling is scheduled July 15 at Rancho Bernardo High School.
Field hockey is scheduled July 29 at 4S Ranch Park while pickleball is scheduled Aug, 25-27 at Coronado Cays Park and climbing is scheduled Aug. 26-27 at the Mesa Rim Climbing Academy.
Badminton took place June 16-18 at the Balboa Park Activity Center.
