General 2026 Information

The official name is Quad Cities Summer Games (sponsored by the QC Senior Olympics).

Thanks to the generosity of those who donate, you still get unlimited events, a tee shirt, three medals, and a picnic meal for only $40.

New in 2026 – Our swim meet will be a “recognized” Masters meet

The swim meet is going to be timed electronically, and it will be a “recognized” meet to accommodate past competitors, Masters swimmers, and fitness/leisure swimmers who may be participating in their first swim meet ever. This will be a 19 and over meet. Competitors will be separated by age as appropriate.

Also for the first time, we are going to offer the 25-yard distance for each of the four strokes. These 25-yard events will be eligible for Summer Games medals in five-year age groups.

Finally, we will offer open swim times on Sunday afternoons at the Augustana pool beginning in winter/spring of 2026 to give people a chance to train for the 2026 QC Summer Games swim meet. There may be a small charge to take advantage of this.

Donations

We are grateful to those able to donate. Donations help us keep costs down. The registration fee has been $40 for unlimited events for several years now.

In 2026, there are two opportunities to donate:

1. Donate to the Summer Games as part of the on-line registration through “getmeregistered”.
2. Donate to one of the outstanding programs at the Two Rivers YMCA by clicking on the “Donate to Two Rivers YMCA” circle on the homepage of the website and going through to the Y’s donation page. If you choose to donate in this way, please select “Summer Games” from the “Campaigner” drop down menu to track things properly.

Thank you.

See the “2026 Schedule” tab on the website qcsogo.org for a chronological listing and location of all 2026 events.

1. The Summer Games will be conducted over a period of two weeks, May 16 – May 30, 2026.
2. The Games consist of both sports and non-sports events.
3. The minimum age is 40 years old for all events except the youth meet which is 14-and-under and the swim meet which will be 19-and-over.
4. Bowling, golf, and billiards require additional venue fees.
5. A $40 entry fee includes tee shirt, entry into opening/closing ceremonies and picnics and up to 3 earned medals. Earned medals beyond 3 may be purchased for $5 each.
6. Medals will be awarded in 5-year increments in singles events. Medals in doubles events will be determined on an event-by-event basis. In many cases, only one gold, silver, and bronze will be awarded (because it is just too darned complicated to do it any other way).
7. Both partners must be registered for doubles events. Medals for overall first, second, and third only (see 6, above).
8. Where necessary/appropriate events will include multiple age groups.
9. The 5k walk/run offered by Fleet Feet on May 26 is included as an event of the Summer Games if you register for it through the Summer Games.
10. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes early for your event.

Guidance for Vendors

To those interested in supporting the QC Summer Games as vendors/sponsors, thank you. There are many ways to do this. The best approach would be to contact Rhonda Elsbury at rhondakelsbury@gmail.com or call Rhonda at 309-798-7369 for details.

Registration/Deadlines – all registration options explained

1.       Ages 40 and over QC Summer Games – register from the “Registration” tab of the website. You are able to register for the Fleet Feet 5k as one of your unlimited events.
2.       Youth (2 – 14) Track & Field meet on May 29 – a couple of options

• Separate registration through the Summer Games from the registration tab of the homepage.
• Through the Two Rivers YMCA – register for either the Running Academy program (6 – 14) culminating in the meet or just for the meet (2-14):  https://www.tworiversymca.org/track

Paper registration from the “Registration” tab of the homepage may be used to substitute for any of the above, but this is not the preferred way.

On-line registration deadlines are May 14 for pickleball and May 24 for all other events. After May 1, tee shirts may not be available in all sizes.

Please register as early as possible. We will allow walk-up registration (except for swimming), but our timing company is asking for a few days to get the registration info and get organized.

Deadlines for Arts & Crafts, Literary Arts, and Performing Arts

1. Arts and Crafts – entries must be dropped off at CASI on May 13, 2026, between noon and 6 pm.
2. Literary arts – submit entries by email to qcsogo@gmail.com by May 13, 2026.
3. Performing arts – performances will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026 (See “Rules” tab)

Tee Shirts

Must be registered by May 1 to be guaranteed a tee shirt. After May 1, all sizes may not be available.

Medals

Awarded on site at the conclusion of each event or at the Ken Anderson Center on May 30.

Request for Volunteers

We will need volunteers for all events. If able to volunteer, please register from the “Registration” tab of the homepage. This will serve as your signed waiver. Thank you.

Headquarters / Check in for events at Augustana on May 30, 2026

Ken Anderson Center, 3600 5th Ave., Rock Island, IL

Kickoff / Opening Ceremonies

5:00 pm, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA   

1. Awards presented for Arts & Crafts and Literary Arts
2. Tee shirts available for pick-up for participants and volunteers
3. Event managers may pick up packets
4. CASI band will perform, and light refreshments will be served

Closing Event

4:30 pm, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Ken Anderson Center Patio – closing ceremonies and picnic
Free to participants and volunteers

Sportsmanship Award in honor of Delmar Dean Smith