The 42nd annual Cornhusker State Games will officially begin Thursday, July 9, as athletes, families and fans gather for Opening Night festivities outside Pinnacle Bank Arena beginning at 7 p.m. The ceremonial torch lighting will mark the start of 11 consecutive days of competition featuring more than 70 sports held across Nebraska.
This year marks the fourth time the Cornhusker State Games Opening Night has been held outside of Pinnacle Bank Arena. Attendees can look forward to appearances by Audrey Eckert, just the second Nebraskan to earn the Miss USA title, and Taryn Smith, the first American woman to complete the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic Ocean solo.
Building on the excitement of previous years, the 2026 Torch Tour is once again bringing the spirit of the Games to communities across Nebraska throughout May. The Nebraska Sports Council (nebraskasportscouncil.com) hosted torchlighting celebrations at Cody Park in North Platte and Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island on May 13. The Torch Tour continued May 20 with stops at the Fremont Family YMCA in Fremont and Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, before wrapping up May 26 at Papillion Landing near Omaha. Each celebration brings athletes, fans and local residents together in anticipation of Nebraska’s largest amateur sports festival.
The Nebraska Sports Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization dedicated to providing quality competition for amateur athletes of all ages and abilities while promoting healthy, active lifestyles. The organization serves as Nebraska’s leader in sports and wellness event management.
Learn more at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com or contact them at (402) 471-2544.