Scholastic or open division eligibility
Compiled text through Sep 15, 2021
Register checked through Jul 29, 2026
No later Register activity identified in this check.
Dates and status
- Compiling agency
- Executive Department
- Text status
- Source receipt
- Compiled text through
- Sep 15, 2021
- Register checked through
- July 29, 2026/Vol. XLVIII, Issue 30 (2026-07-29)
- Activity status
- No later Register activity identified in this check.
- Source snapshot
- Jun 6, 2026
(a)There are three divisions for the summer games: scholastic, open and masters that, in general, are open to different age groups.
(1)Scholastic division.
(i)Maximum age. An applicant must be age 17 or younger as of August 31st in the year the summer games are held.
(ii)Minimum age. In the following contact sports an applicant also must be age 13 as of April 30th in the year the summer games are held: baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, judo, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling.
(2)Open division Minimum age. An applicant must be age 18 or older as of August 31st in the year the summer games are held.
(3)Exceptions:
(i)Boxing age requirements will follow USA boxing rules which shall be posted on the Empire State Games website (www.empirestategames.org)
(ii)Gymnastics.
(a)Scholastic and open divisions (men). A male gymnast who is eligible for the scholastic division may try out for the open division. However, the gymnast must choose to participate in the open division by notifying the ESG men’s gymnastics coach and regional director before the regional trial begins. In addition, the applicant must have a minimum score of 33.00 at the regional trials to compete at finals.
(b)Scholastic and open divisions (women). Female gymnasts eligible for the scholastic and open divisions must try out together. The top seven regional qualifiers shall compete in the open division finals and the next seven regional qualifiers shall compete in the scholastic division finals. However, participants who are age 18 or older as of August 31st in the year the games are held must finish in the top seven at a regional trial and must compete in the open division at the finals. They are not eligible to compete in the scholastic division.
(iii)Synchronized swimming. Open division. Applicants must be at least age 12 as of April 30th in the year the summer games are held.
(iv)No scholastic division. An applicant younger than age 18 may compete in the open division for a sport if the open division includes that sport but the scholastic division does not.