The Games of Texas are back in Corpus Christi: How to get tickets and event schedule

The Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Games of Texas returns to Corpus Christi this weekend as nearly 10,000 athletes of all ages will compete in multiple events across the city.

The last time the annual event, which is the biggest of the year for TAAF, was in the city was 2012. It was delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 but comes back and will be in the city for the next two years.

“They are going to have the opportunity to see up-and-coming athletes and be able to support them as they develop in their athletic career,” said Lisa Oliver, who works with the Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department. “It always is a great opportunity for us as a community to highlight the various amenities in our city and promote sports tourism as well.”

The games officially began last weekend with competition in Pickle Ball, and the bulk of the events will be on Friday and Saturday. The competition’s two biggest events are the track and field meet and swimming, with nearly 5,000 athletes scheduled to compete in the two events.

Other events include boxing, golf, disc golf, flag football, beach volleyball and softball. A number of city parks, along with Corpus Christi ISD venues will be utilized this weekend for the games. 

Plus, the event is expected to bring in between $8-10 million to the area, and will involve hundreds of volunteers.

"We have athletes that are anxious and ready to participate," Oliver said.

Here are some things to know for this weekend’s Games of Texas:

Who competes?

The event features athletes come from all corners of Texas. Mark Lord, the TAAF Executive Director, said there are typically around 20,000 athletes registered with TAAF and go through regional qualifying in 17 different regions to earn spots at the Games of Texas.

Competitors will come from as far away as El Paso and Amarillo, and there are a number of local athletes competing this week in the games. Plus, the events allow the city to showcase venues such as Cabaniss Multipurpose Stadium and CCISD's Natatorium. 

“It’s worth it for our kids (from Corpus Christi),” said Corpus Christi ISD Assistant Athletic Director Richard Ocanas. “They will be able to compete against kids from around the state at a young age and not have to travel.”

Texas' largest track meet

The track meet that will be contested from Thursday through Sunday at Cabaniss is considered the largest in Texas in terms of numbers, Lord said. 

Nearly 5,000 competitors will compete in the meet, and Ocanas said that is what separates it from high school meets the venue hosts throughout the spring season. 

Plus, runners as young as 5 years old will be competing along with athletes who have graduated from high school. 

"The volume of parents, the kids is seven or eight times bigger than a normal Chatter Allen (Relays) or district meet or Metro meet," Ocanas said. "It's all day, pretty much, taking 8 to 10 hours with the volume of kids that are coming through."

COVID-19 protocols

The city cancelled the opening ceremonies, which were scheduled for Friday because of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the Corpus Christi.

The event organizers will encourage athletes to limit attendees with them to two. TAAF is also directing athletes to wear face coverings when not actively competing, and strongly encouraging spectators and officials to also wear face coverings during the event.

How to watch the events

Spectators must purchase tickets online at taaf.com to get into events. Fans are required to purchase tickets for boxing, swimming and track and field. An all-access pass is also available for $40, which will allow fans access to boxing, swimming and track and field.

The other events are free to the public.

Boxing shows up

Oliver said TAAF will have one of its best attended boxing events at the games in Corpus Christi. More than 200 fighters in different age groups will compete at the Ray High School Gymnasium over two days, beginning Friday.

Event Schedule

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Islanders Volleyball Courts at The Water’s Edge

July 31-Aug. 1

Matches begin at 8 a.m.

BOXING

Ray High School

July 31-Aug. 1

Bouts begin at noon July 31; 1 p.m. on Aug. 1

DISC GOLF

West Guth Park

July 29 and Aug. 1

Competition begins at 8 a.m.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Manuel Q. Salinas Park

July 30 and Aug. 1

Games begin at 8 a.m.

GOLF

Lozano Golf Center

July 29-30

8 a.m. start

SOFTBALL

Greenwood Softball Complex

July 31-Aug. 1

Games begin at 8 a.m.

SWIMMING

CCISD Natatorium

July 29-Aug. 1

July 29, 4 p.m.; July 30-Aug. 1, 8 a.m.

TENNIS

H-E-B Tennis Center

July 29 and Aug. 1

Matches begin at 8 a.m.

TRACK & FIELD

Cabaniss Sports Complex

July 29, 2 p.m.; July 30-Aug. 1, 8 a.m.

WATER POLO

Greenwood Pool

Aug. 7-8

Matches begin at 8 a.m.

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Len Hayward is a USA Today Sports Network Region sports director and the Caller-Times sports editor. Support more coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe