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CHARLOTTE – The Queen City was chosen to host the State Games -- amateur, Olympic-style sporting competitions -- later this month. The events are expected to bring thousands of people and millions of dollars to the area.

Bill McMillan, who is with the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission, says the games have never been to Charlotte before. He’s excited about what the 22nd annual games will bring.

“We're thinking 14,000-15,000 athletes,” McMillan said of attendance. “But it's not just the athletes, it's also the accompanying friends and families or coaches or whatever that makes it. There could be as many as 25,000-30,000 people coming over that two-weekend time frame.”

About 35 sites across the city, such as the Charlotte Convention Center and Mecklenburg Aquatic Center, will host games. Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation’s properties will also host games.

“Without Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, we couldn't do this,” said McMillan. “They have so many facilities, we are really blessed with the number and variety of facilities that we have in Mecklenburg County with Parks and Rec.”

North Carolina and 43 other states host State Game sporting competitions. Since South Carolina doesn’t have a State Games, residents there are allowed to participate in North Carolina’s. Whoever wins in Charlotte will move onto the State Games of America.