History - Angel City Games

The Angel City Games is the premier adaptive sports festival in the Western United States, offering clinics, competitions and special events for people of all ages and skill levels who have a physical disability or mobility impairment.

Angel City Games History

2015: The Inaugural Angel City Games

Held at UCLA’s Drake Stadium, with 125 athletes participating in Track & Field and Wheelchair Basketball.

The event was designed to offer those who are new to adaptive sports the opportunity to learn in a clinic with experienced coaches, then participate in competition.

At the first event, athletes ranged in age from 3 to 72, with several taking part in their first ever adaptive sports experience.

2018: Program expands to include Archery, Swimming and Wheelchair Tennis

Within 4 years, participation more than doubled with over 300 athletes attending.

2019: Sitting Volleyball and Table Tennis Added

In it’s 5th year, more opportunities added for kids, adults and military veterans with physical disabilities to play sports.

2020: The Games Go Virtual

In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the games find a ways to reach athletes in their homes.

2021: The Games Go Back to In-Person

We are so excited to welcome everyone back to another weekend of sport, fun, and community! Ready to get in the game?

The Angel City Games is a family friendly event with wide array of activities and special events throughout the week for all to enjoy. The goal is to celebrate the talents and strengths of adaptive athletes, and create a community of support and understanding around sports.

2020 Virtual Games

2019 Angel City Games Recap

2018 Angel City Games Recap

People with physical disabilities can learn new skills from expert coaches, compete in sports they love, and everyone can be part of the experience to get a sense of what being an adaptive athlete is all about.

Though Los Angeles is the host for the Angel City Games, participants in the past have traveled from all over the country and world to compete, learn and connect with others in the disability community.

US Paralympians who have attended the Angel City Games as coaches and/or competitors include:

Jerome Avery – Track and Field

Megan Blunk – Wheelchair Basketball

Sam Bosco – Cycling

David Brown – Track and Field

Candace Cable – Wheelchair Racing

Joe Chambers – Wheelchair Basketball

Breanna Clark – Track & Field

Allison Compton – Sitting Volleyball

David Eads – Wheelchair Tennis

Jeff Fabry – Archery

Rudy Garcia-Tolson – Swimming

Lorah Goodkind – Rowing

Sam Grewe – Track & Field

Lacey Henderson – Track & Field

Trooper Johnson – Wheelchair Basketball

Cody Jones – Track & Field

Angela Madsen – Track and Field

Gerard Moreno – Fencing

Brent Poppen – Wheelchair Tennis

John Register – Track & Field

Alma Rodriguez – Wheelchair Basketball

Mario Rodriguez – Fencing

Matt Scott – Wheelchair Basketball

Mike Shea – Snowboarding

Kaitlyn Verfuerth – Wheelchair Tennis

Mallory Weggeman – Swimming

Ahkeel Whitehead – Track & Field

Regas Woods – Track & Field

Media coverage for the Angel City Games has included segments on ESPN, Huffington Post, KABC-TV, KTLA-TV, and AM570 LA Sports Radio.

The Angel City Games has drawn the attention of Hollywood celebs, professional athletes, Olympians and Paralympians, who come to cheer on the athletes and participate in the annual Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game, including:

Actor Adam Sandler

Actor Christian Bale

Actress Donna D’Errico (Baywatch)

Actress Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs)

Actor Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure)

Actor Kenny Johnson (The Shield)

Actor Jacob Bertrand (Kirby Buckets)

Actor Boyd Kestner (The Outsiders)

Lisa Marie Varon (WWE)

Toby Bailey (UCLA/NBA)

Brendon Ayanbadejo (NFL / Baltimore Ravens)

Tyus Edney (UCLA/NBA)

Kris Kluwe (NFL)