Prove What's Possible: Register Now for the 2026 Mecklenburg County Senior Games and SilverArts

Promoting health and wellness for individuals 50 and older, the annual Mecklenburg County Senior Games and SilverArts provide a forum to meet people, enjoy healthy competition, be creative and to have fun!

 It’s time for our active seniors to grab their rackets, goggles and paintbrushes, and prove what’s possible at the 2026 Mecklenburg County Senior Games and SilverArts. Registration is now open for this Olympic-style competition that will run from March to May 2026.

Promoting health and wellness for people ages 50 and older, Senior Games and SilverArts provide a forum to meet new people, enjoy healthy competition, be creative, and have fun! Participants are strongly encouraged to register early and online, to save on fees and ensure a spot in their favorite event.

"Whether you’re 55 or 95, there’s an event for you at the Senior Games and SilverArts competitions,” said Nick Walker, director of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. “We can’t wait to see everyone at the local games, which promise to be the best we’ve ever held.”  

The Mecklenburg County competitions feature over 50 individual and team sports and arts events. Athletic events include bowling, cycling, golf, swimming, track and field events, backyard games such as cornhole, horseshoes and bocce, and racket events such as tennis, badminton and pickleball. SilverArts celebrates the creative expression of seniors through literary arts, visual arts, performing arts, heritage arts, and cheerleading.

Qualifying participants may also compete in the North Carolina Senior Games and SilverArts State Finals in the fall of 2026, followed by the national games in 2027.

“We want Mecklenburg County to show up and show out at the 2026 North Carolina games, and we know our seniors have the talent, passion and sportsmanship that can take us there,” Walker said. “To help us reach this goal and break our local participation records, we’re calling for all eligible seniors to join the fun and register today!”

Registration and Eligibility  

Adults ages 50 years and older who have lived in North Carolina for three consecutive months of the past 12 months are eligible to compete. Additional information about eligibility, registration and more is available at ParkandRec.MeckNC.gov/SeniorGames.

Early Bird Registration (Jan. 5-23)

  • Mecklenburg County residents: $20 online; $25 by paper          
  • Nonresidents: $23 online; $28 by paper

Standard Registration (Jan. 24 through Feb. 20)

  • Mecklenburg County residents: $30 online; $35 by paper
  • Nonresidents: $33 online; $38 by paper

Scholarships are also available. To ask about scholarships, call 980-314-1328, visit the Senior Games and SilverArts website, or email [email protected].

Volunteer at the Senior Games and SilverArts

Volunteers are invaluable members of the Senior Games and SilverArts team. Interested volunteers ages 16 and older can make an online profile in Park and Recreation’s volunteer registration system, then select “Seniors” and/or the sports or programs at which they prefer to volunteer.

Volunteers are especially needed at the opening ceremony on March 21, and at pickleball, badminton, basketball shooting, cornhole, swimming, table tennis, and track and field events.

More information about volunteering is available on the Senior Games and SilverArts webpage.