General 2027 Information

QUAD CITIES SUMMER GAMES (AGES 40+)
May 22 - June 5, 2027
Updated 9/21/26

Working copy as of September 21, 2026. Details may be updated before registration opens on January 2, 2027. Check the latest as you’re registering after January 2.

The Quad Cities Summer Games encourage adults age 40 and over to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy competition at whatever level suits them—friendly or fierce. Participants of all ability levels are welcome, from first-timers to experienced competitors.

For just $40, participants receive:

• Entry into unlimited eligible events
• An official 2027 Summer Games T-shirt
• Up to three earned medals
• Refreshments
• Pizza at the Opening Ceremonies
• A picnic meal at the Closing Ceremonies

Additional earned medals are available for $5 each.

The Summer Games are absorbing the online registration fee in 2027. $40 means $40.

Event Overview

The Summer Games include both athletic and non-athletic activities. Offerings include cycling, swimming, track & field, pickleball, bowling, basketball, golf, arts and crafts, literary arts, performing arts, chess, backgammon, card games, and more.

Participants choose their own level of competition, from recreational participation to serious competition. Some events combine age groups where appropriate.

Eligibility

• Ages 40+ for most Summer Games events
• Swim meet: ages 18+
• Youth Track & Field Meet: 8th grade and under, with no minimum age

Registration

Registration opens January 2, 2027 and will be online through Race Roster via the Registration tab at qcsogo.org.
Online registration will remain open throughout the Games. Walk-up entries are accepted, but walk-up participants must also register through Race Roster.

Early registration is strongly preferred and greatly appreciated. Early registration allows us to prepare event entries, T-shirts, medals, staffing, supplies, and other logistics before the Games begin and makes the entire operation run much more smoothly.

Please register as early as you reasonably can.

Important Dates

• January 2: 2027 Summer Games registration opens
• May 1: Deadline to guarantee requested T-shirt size
• May 19: Arts & Crafts and Literary Arts submission deadline
• May 22 - June 5: 2027 Quad Cities Summer Games
• June 1: Opening Ceremonies
• June 5: Closing Ceremonies and Picnic
• June 11: Youth Track & Field Meet

Race Roster registration remains open throughout the Games.

T-Shirts

Every full Summer Games registration includes an official 2027 Summer Games T-shirt.

Size Guarantee
Register by May 1, 2027 to guarantee your requested T-shirt size. Shirts for participants registered by May 1 will be reserved by name.

After May 1, specific sizes cannot be guaranteed.

Early Pickup at CASI
T-shirts will already be in hand when registration opens on January 2.

Early pickup at CASI is available by request. After registering, email qcsogo@gmail.com to request early pickup. Your shirt will be prepared and placed at CASI for pickup.

Other Pickup Opportunities
T-shirts will also be available:

• At Summer Games events held before Opening Ceremonies
• At Opening Ceremonies on June 1
• At Summer Games Headquarters on June 5
• After the Games at CASI for shirts not previously picked up

After Opening Ceremonies, T-shirts will not be moved from event to event.

Someone else may pick up a participant's T-shirt on that participant's behalf. No additional documentation is required.

Size Exchanges
Size exchanges will only be made at Opening Ceremonies on June 1 and at Summer Games Headquarters on June 5.
An exchange can only be made if the replacement size is available.

New in 2027

Chess
Tuesday, May 25 - 5:30 PM
Western Illinois University - Quad Cities

Backgammon
Wednesday, May 26 - 1:00 PM
Senior Star, Davenport, IA

Exhibition Bike Ride - Returning for Its Second Year

The Exhibition Ride returns in 2027, and we are looking for a much larger turnout in its second year.

Friday, June 4 - 6:00 PM
Prairie Lodge, 3501 207th St. North, Port Byron, IL

The Exhibition Ride provides an inclusive cycling opportunity for people who want to participate in the Summer Games without competing in a traditional bicycle race.

• Open to Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes, tandems, recumbents, adaptive cycles, and virtually any other type of cycle or human-powered conveyance
• Throttle-operated e-bikes are not permitted
• A controlled ride, not a race
• Included with the regular $40 Summer Games registration
• Participants receive the full Summer Games registration benefits and may participate in other Games events
• Competitive medals are not awarded for the Exhibition Ride

The first year established the event. This year we want to fill it. There is plenty of room for riders of different experience levels, abilities, and types of equipment who simply want an enjoyable organized ride and the chance to be part of the Summer Games.

Swim Meet

Saturday, June 5
Augustana Swimming Pool
Warm-ups: 9:00 AM
Competition: 10:00 AM

The meet will again be a U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) recognized meet.

• Swim events are open to ages 18+
• USMS membership is not required. If you are a member, bring proof of membership to the meet.
• 25-yard events are included for novice and recreational swimmers
• Participants range from first-time meet swimmers to experienced Masters competitors

5K Road Race

Monday, May 31 - 7:00 AM
Rust Belt, East Moline, IL

Held in conjunction with the Quad Cities Running Festival. See their website for race details. Register through the Summer Games to participate as a Summer Games entrant.

Youth Track & Field Meet

Friday, June 11 - 6:00 PM
Augustana College - Paul V. Olsen Track
Rock Island, IL

The Youth Track & Field Meet is open to youth in 8th grade and under, with no minimum age.

More than 100 young athletes participated in 2026, and the Augustana stadium has room for many more in 2027.

Participants register for the entire meet, not individual events.

Participants register separately through the Summer Games or the Two Rivers YMCA.

Events include:

• 50m
• 100m
• 200m
• 400m
• 800m
• Long jump
• High jump
• Ball throw

Additional events may be added.
Ribbons are awarded for places 1-9.

Fees and Additional Costs

The $40 Summer Games registration covers unlimited eligible events. A few venues have additional charges:

• Golf participants pay their own greens fees
• Bowling participants pay lane fees and shoe rental
• Doubles partners must both be registered where applicable

Medals

Up to three earned medals are included with the $40 Summer Games registration. Participants who earn more than three medals may purchase additional earned medals for $5 each.

Medals are awarded at the conclusion of events or may be picked up at Summer Games Headquarters on June 5.

• Singles events generally use 5-year age groups
• Doubles medal structure is determined by the individual event
• In some events, only overall gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded

We recently located a significant number of unused silver and bronze medals from the past two years. We will distribute these medals until they are gone rather than discard perfectly good inventory and purchase replacements. This is a prudent financial decision that will save the Summer Games approximately $1,500. We appreciate your understanding—and encourage recipients to treat these earlier medals as collector's items from prior Summer Games.

Ceremonies and Key Locations

Opening Ceremonies
Tuesday, June 1 - 5:00 PM
CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA

• Arts & Crafts and Literary Arts awards presented
• T-shirt pickup
• Event manager packet pickup
• Live music
• Pizza and refreshments

Closing Ceremonies and Picnic
Saturday, June 5 - 4:30 PM
Ken Anderson Center Patio, Augustana College
The picnic is included with Summer Games registration and is free to participants and volunteers.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are essential to the success of the Summer Games.

Volunteer registration is available on the website. Participants are encouraged to volunteer for events in which they are not competing.

Donations

Donations help keep the Summer Games affordable and allow us to continue providing a large program of events and participant benefits for one low registration fee.

Ways to donate:

• During online registration through Race Roster
• Through Two Rivers YMCA on the Illinois side
• Through YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley on the Iowa side

Vendors and Sponsors

To support the Summer Games as a vendor or sponsor, contact:
Rhonda Elsbury
rhondakelsbury@gmail.com
309-798-7369

Sportsmanship Award - Delmar Dean Smith

Those who witness outstanding sportsmanship are encouraged to submit nominations.

• Submit by June 4 via email to qcsogo@gmail.com
• On June 5, nominations may also be submitted in writing at Summer Games Headquarters

Include:

• Your name
• Nominee's name
• Event
• Brief description of the action

Full Schedule

See the 2027 Schedule tab at qcsogo.org for the complete listing of events, locations, times, and event-specific information.