More than 8,500 competitors from around the world are expected to join fellow first responders in Birmingham, Alabama in June for various Olympic-style games.

BIRMINGHAM (November 7, 2024)—The Birmingham 2025 World Police & Fire Games Host Committee proudly announced that registration opened for athletes on Friday, November 8, 2024. The Games, themed as “The Games of Heroes,” are scheduled for June 27 to July 6, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama.

WPFG will welcome more than 8,500 first responders from around the world to compete in 60+ athletic events at premier venues citywide. Birmingham is proud to be among the distinguished cities worldwide that have been awarded the Games.

“We are thrilled to host the World Police and Fire Games in the U.S. once again, the first time since the 2017 games in Los Angeles,” said Jim King, President of the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF), the governing body for WPFG. “This event celebrates the courage, resilience, and unity of first responders, and we look forward to welcoming heroes from around the world to Birmingham. We are confident our athletes will enjoy a medley of cultures and attitudes that blend beautifully with Birmingham’s Southern charm.”

Since its inaugural event in 1985, WPFG has grown into one of the world’s most significant athletic events for first responders, drawing thousands of athletes from over 70 countries. The first World Police & Fire Games were held in 1985 in San Jose, California. The World Police & Fire Games aim to offer the same variety of sports, & the same high caliber of venues, officials, & athletic achievement as the original California Police Games, but on a global scale. Since then, WPFG has been hosted several times in the United States & different countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Northern Ireland, Spain, & Sweden.

Participants compete in various sports, including traditional events like basketball, weightlifting, and soccer, as well as cycling and first-responder-specific challenges like the Police Pistol Combat, Toughest Competitor Alive, and Ultimate Firefighter.

“Our primary objective is to honor and celebrate our community heroes – public safety officers from around the world – by delivering a fantastic athlete experience and fully engaging the community to produce the best Games possible while showcasing Birmingham, Alabama,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of BHM 2025 Host Committee. “The World Police and Fire Games reflect the remarkable dedication and skill of the first responders who serve daily. We are honored to support an event that unites these global athletes in an unparalleled display of physical and mental endurance.”

The games are open to current and retired public safety personnel from law enforcement, fire services, customs, and corrections, including 9-1-1 dispatchers, crime scene investigators, and lifeguards in good standing.

Registration for the 2025 WPFG opened on Friday, November 8, 2024.



About the California Police Athletic Federation

The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF), a non-profit organization established in 1970, is the governing body for the United States Police & Fire Championships, the World Police & Fire Games, and the First Responders Relay. The mission of CPAF is to promote sport and physical fitness among personnel representing law enforcement, fire, corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs. For more information, please visit www.cpaf.org.

About the World Police & Fire Games

Founded in 1985, the World Police and Fire Games are a biennial event that strives to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among first responders globally. The event is organized by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) and has grown to become one of the largest athletic events in the world. For more information, please visit www.bhm2025.com.