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Utah Summer Games reports growth, previews expanded 2025 calendar
Summary
Southern Utah University’s Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games reported nearly 10,000 unique participants and 13% year-over-year growth; organizers preview expanded programming for late 2024–2025, including state football and new midweek events aimed at boosting hotel occupancy.
John Oglesby, representing Southern Utah University and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, briefed the commission on the 2024 season and previewed programming for late 2024 and 2025. He reported nearly 10,000 unique participants and more than 12,000 total participant entries in 2024 — a 13% increase from 2023 — and cited a 24% increase in high-school basketball participants that contributed to stronger hotel occupancy.
Oglesby said the games’ expanded calendar will reduce the county’s event-free months to only two (October and January) and will add state football and potentially state basketball events, plus a December high-school drill competition expected to bring teams and overnight stays. "We had almost 10,000 unique participants, over 12,000 total participants that saw, 13% growth year over year," he told commissioners.
He emphasized a strategy of adding midweek events to improve weekday hotel occupancy and increase economic benefits for local hospitality partners. The commission praised partnerships between SUU, the county tourism office and municipal partners and thanked Oglesby for coordinating events that deliver measurable returns to the local economy.
Oglesby said SUU and game organizers are working with local hospitality and municipal partners to schedule events that maximize local benefit; specific event agreements and calendars will be finalized with city and county partners as planning proceeds.
