MONTGOMERY — Registration for the 41st Alabama State Games opened on March 1 and has been growing steadily.

Soccer, baseball and first-year-sport powerlifting have been leading the way as teams and individuals announce their intentions to go for gold in 20-plus sports June 7-9 in Birmingham and Jefferson County.

“After just one month, the number of registrants for the Alabama State Games speaks volumes about the passion and enthusiasm this state has for sports,” said Alabama State Games Executive Director Laura Creel Burt. “After seeing the number of participants we had in 2023 – our first year back in Birmingham and Jefferson County after several years away – we had a great feeling about what the future held. Day by day we are seeing it reflected.”

An added incentive for the 41st Alabama State Games hosted by the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County is the $40,000 in scholarships that will be awarded on June 7. Athletes who register for the Games and then attend both the State Farm Athlete Leadership Summit and the Opening Ceremony inside Legacy Arena at the BJCC will be entered into a drawing where 32 academic scholarships will be awarded.

The Alabama State Games has awarded $363,000 to date in academic scholarships.

“The Alabama State Games uses sports as a vehicle to promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and good citizenship,” Burt said. “The scholarship initiative embodies our commitment to our mission. Through sports - a common thread that connects every one of all ages - we can see the thrill they experience while achieving success.”

Registration and event information can be found at alagames.com. Follow the Alabama State Games on Facebook and Instagram (@AlabamaStateGames).