What are the Sunflower State Games?

The Sunflower State Games is Kansas' largest amateur sports festival. The sports offered provide a broad appeal to athletes of all ages and abilities, ranging from highly competitive Olympic sports to those that are more recreational and geared to participation. There's something for everyone!

The Sunflower State Games, organized in 1990, has become a midsummer tradition attracting thousands of Kansans to Topeka from throughout the state. The main mission of the Sunflower State Games is offering good, wholesome family-oriented activities and abundant fun. Beyond that, the organization takes pride that its competition exposes a multitude of Kansans to the benefits of physical fitness, well-being and good sportsmanship.

Who can compete?

All Kansans! Athletes must, however, reside in Kansas for at least 30 days prior to competition and have amateur status in the sport in which they enter. Students attending college in Kansas and military personnel stationed in Kansas may also compete for medals.

High school athletes may enter, provided they abide by the rules of the Kansas High School Activities Association. College athletes are eligible under national collegiate rules.

How does one enter?

Online Registration is encouraged. To register online, visit the sport page of your choice and click the "Register Now" link after April 1.. You may also print your entry and waiver forms for mail in registration. Individual entrants must complete a separate entry form and waiver for each sport entered. The forms may be reproduced for this purpose. Team members do not enter as individual entries, but each must sign the team roster/waiver form. The team representative or coach must complete and sign the entry form for a team and sign the waiver form.

Important: Read and sign the waiver statement, or the entry will not be accepted (parent or guardian must sign if athlete is 18 or younger).

Multiple Entry Forms may be printed or duplicated. Please share them with a family member or friend.

Check each sport page for specific entry deadlines.

When is the Registration Deadline?

• July 6 for all sports taking place July 13-15
• July 13 for all other sports unless otherwise noted
  

Do I need to pre-register?

YES! Most sports do NOT allow day of registrations. Check your sport information page to see if it allows late entries. All late entries must be accompanied by a $5 late fee for Individual Sports or a $15 late fee for Team Sports.

What is the entry fee?

The appropriate entry fee is indicated in the chosen sport information section. Entries and fees are accepted online or must be remitted by check, cash or money order with the entry form in an envelope. Please double check the amount before sealing the envelope. If you are entering online you must pay with a credit card. Your entry will not be processed online until your credit card has been charged.

What all does the entry fee cover?

All individual participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, promotional items from our sponsors and a Souvenir Program. Participants will be responsible for picking up these items when they check-in for their event. T-shirts are only guarenteed for pre-registered athletes.

All teams will receive a team bag which includes commemerative t-shirts, promotional items from our sponsors, and a Souvenir Program for each team member. Team coaches or representatives will be responsible for picking up their team bags when they check-in for the event. Teams submitting their completed rosters after the roster deadline will NOT receive commemorative t-shirts.

Admission is free at all competition sites with the exception of baseball, youth basketball, cheerleading and girls fast-pitch softball.

Are there Awards?

Athletes in all competitive events vie for custom cast Sunflower State Games gold, silver and bronze medals with Olympic-style neck ribbons. Medals must be picked up at the event and will not be mailed after the competition.

What about the safety of the athletes?

Safety of the athletes is of paramount concern to Sunflower State Games organizers. All efforts will be taken to protect the health of those enjoying the competitions, and rules of safety will be strictly enforced. Medical personnel at competition sites will be directed by the medical commissioner and the Sunflower State Games Staff.

Do I need to bring water to the Sunflower State Games?

Please remember that Kansas is often HOT and DRY during July. The Sunflower State Games does NOT provide water. Please bring a sufficient amount to get you through the day or ask a volunteer for the nearest store to buy water. Remember: Caffeinated beverages will not hydrate you, only water can do that.

What are the Sunflower State Games standards of sportmanship?

It is the philosophy of the Sunflower State Games that all who take part should do so in the spirit of fair competition and good sportsmanship. It is expected that all participants -- athletes, coaches and fans -- adhere to the principles of good sportsmanship. The Sunflower State Games staff reserves the right to deny participation to anyone whom it determines to have violated the principles of good sportsmanship, or for any reason it deems to be in the best interest of the Games.

How are disputes handled?

• Meet with the Sport Commissioner within one hour of the completion of the game in question.
• Submit a $50 CASH ($100 for Soccer) protest fee per player challenged.

• The protest money will be refunded.
• The ineligible player and his/her coach will be disqualified from the tournament.
• The offending team will forfeit the games the ineligible player has competed in.
• The coach will be banned from the Sunflower State Games for 5 years.

Is there a fee for returned checks?

There will be a $30 fee for all returned checks. In the event of a returned check, athletes will not be allowed to participate until the entry fee and returned check fee have been paid in cash or money order.