The Birmingham Organizing Committee has announced the next three competition venues for the 2022 World Games; Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham-Southern College and Avondale Park, ahead of the event that will take place in Alabama from July 7–17 with an anticipated 3,600 athletes.
“We’re excited to announce this next round of venues for The Games,” World Games 2022 Chief Executive Officer Nick Sellers said. “As we move closer and closer to the beginning of The Games, the announcement of venues where these world-class athletes will compete and where fans from all over will congregate to watch, drives the anticipation. All of our venues offer athletes and fans a unique sporting experience they can’t get anywhere else.”
At the historic Sloss Furnaces, spectators will watch athletes compete in Sport Climbing, Breaking, Parkour and Beach Handball. Originally operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971, Sloss Furnaces became one of the first industrial sites in the U.S. to be preserved and restored for public use. In 1981, the furnaces were designated a National Historic Landmark.
Several competitions will take place across the campus of Birmingham-Southern College. Goldfarb Field at Berylson Soccer Park will play host to Fistball. Bill Battle Coliseum will host a variety competitions including Orienteering, Karate, Wushu and Ju-Jitsu. Birmingham-Southern residence halls will also be the accommodation for several athletes.
At Avondale Park, the natural beauty of Birmingham will be on full display for Target Archery and Field Archery. Avondale Park is a 40-acre wooded park on the slopes of Red Mountain that sits directly across from one of the most popular neighborhoods in Birmingham. The park re-opened after $2.88 million in city-funded renovations in November 2013.
“Avondale Park is one of the best recreational areas our community has to offer, making it a perfect venue for the World Games 2022,” said Shonae Eddis-Bennett, director of the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Director. “We are excited to have the opportunity to show off Avondale Park to fans and athletes from all over the world.”