Nutmeg State Games Coming To Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown will serve as the host city for the 2021 through 2025 Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games, officials announced Friday. The Olympic-style games “inspire the principles of the Olympic spirit of competition, healthy lifestyles and good sportsmanship in athletes of all ages,” according to a news release.

More than 8,700 athletes, 500 volunteers and 20,000 spectators will be convening in Middletown and throughout Middlesex County in May, June, July and August, according to officials.

“Middletown is honored to host the Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games and we welcome athletes and sports fans from around the state to our city,” Mayor Daniel Drew said. “We look forward to continuing our tradition of showcasing Middletown as a premier location for hosting sporting events.”

Drew said that the city has been working closely with the Connecticut Sports Management Group for six years to bring the Nutmeg Games to Middletown.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the Nutmeg State Games and the Connecticut Masters’ Games to Middletown, and so excited to work with an outstanding team to make it a success for the athletes, for the fans, and for our city,” Mayor-Elect Ben Florsheim said.

The Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games consist of more than 34 different sport competitions, which include team and individual sport offerings. Athletes from all over Connecticut and from surrounding states will take part in the various competitions.

Read more from the press release below:

“The Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games are a leading, community-oriented festival that will attract top amateur athletes of all ages from all over Connecticut and the Northeast to the City of Middletown and Middlesex County,” said Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.

The Nutmeg State Games is the largest amateur multi-sport Olympic-style sporting event in Connecticut. More than 7,000 participants, 600 coaches, 500 officials, 300 volunteers and numerous spectators will take part in the annual event. Participants range from 6 to 80 years old.

The Connecticut Masters’ Games provides adults and senior athletes from 30 to 90-plus years of age an opportunity to compete in a variety of athletic events and activities throughout the spring and early summer. Each year 1,700 athletes, 200 volunteers and 2,000 spectators take part in the annual event.

“In recent years, the Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games have generated an impact of over $1 million per year to the host city and surrounding area,” said Robert Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB). “Hosting sporting events like these provide benefits such as community visibility and an influx of visitors who boost the local economy by staying in hotels, dining in restaurants, shopping and enjoying area attractions.”

The Nutmeg State Games team sport offerings include Baseball, Basketball, Fast-Pitch Softball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Roller Hockey, Soccer, and Wiffle Ball. Individual sport competitions include Archery, BMX, Cycling Criterium, Fencing, Figure Skating, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Pickleball, Shooting, Swimming, Track & Field, and Wrestling.

The Connecticut Masters Games team sport offerings include 3-on-3 Basketball, Slow Pitch Softball and Volleyball. Individual sport competitions include Archery, Bowling, Cycling, Pickleball, Racquetball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Track & Field.

“The Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games are unique sporting events and we are thrilled to be bringing them to the City of Middletown.” said Patrick Fisher, Executive Director of the Connecticut Sports Management Group, Inc. (CSMG). CSMG manages the Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games. “Our events will bring together a community of competitors and sports enthusiasts from all areas of Connecticut to celebrate the talent and diversity of amateur athletes of all ages.”

In addition to the Nutmeg State Games and Connecticut Masters’ Games the City of Middletown has hosted the annual Nutmeg Holiday Basketball Festival since 2013. The Nutmeg Holiday Basketball Festival held at Wesleyan University and Vale Sports Club runs from Dec. 27 through the 29th. The Nutmeg Holiday Festival features 88 boys and girls town travel teams in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades in a competitive basketball tournament. An impressive 147 games are played during the three-day festival. Over 950 participants, 250 coaches and 2,500 spectators take part in the annual event.