OVERLAND PARK, KS (September 12, 2024) – Beginning in 2025, The 1st Phorm Monster Games will bring top athletes to Overland Park for the very first time in a test of their fitness and endurance. The three-day competition will take place on July 25 – 27, and will be hosted at the Overland Park Convention Center and Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City.

For the past seven years, the 1st Phorm Monster Games has grown substantially in popularity, driving founders Jason and Heidi Ansley to seek a new home for the competition. Hosting the Games in a new venue and city will allow the event to continue to grow,” said Monster Games Founder Jason Ansley. “The move to Overland Park enables the 1st Phorm Monster Games to expand the competition, allow more athletes to qualify for the Games and enhance the overall experience.”

Over 1,000 athletes are anticipated to qualify for the 2025 Games. The previous year’s competitors came from 40 different states and 6 different countries. 

Co-Founder Heidi Ansley said the games are a great way of showcasing athlete’s fitness levels. 

“The competitors range from beginners to the elite of the elite,” Heidi said. “Its impressive to see the range of ages and [it’s] incredibly motivating as they are all trying to do something outside of their comfort zone.”

“We identified the 1st Phorm Monster Games as a marquee event for Overland Park, offering a unique opportunity to partner with the Overland Park Convention Center and the Jewish Community Center to deliver a competitive experience for all,” said Eric Olson, Vice President of Sports and Events of Visit Overland Park. “As Visit Overland Park’s sports tourism strategy evolves, we will continually embrace the opportunity to bring a diverse mix of sporting events to Overland Park, and there is no better example than the sport of competitive fitness. We look forward to hosting over 1,000 athletes, along with the many spectators who will experience all Overland Park has to offer.”

“The selection of Overland Park demonstrates the power of sporting events can have on a community,” said Warren Wilkinson, President & CEO of Visit Overland Park. “The confidence placed in Visit Overland Park, the Overland Park Convention Center and the Jewish Community Center is further evidence of the value of sports tourism and Overland Park’s ability to compete regionally and nationally, maximizing the impressive array of sports facilities within the community.”

About the 1st Phorm Monster Games

Owned and operated by Jason and Heidi Ansley, the 1st Phorm Monster Games is a comprehensive test of fitness for all levels of athletes. Anyone from a Scaled athlete to the Games caliber athlete will be appropriately tested for their division and fitness level. The competition features eight scored events, including swimming, lifting, running, pull-ups and handstand walking. Athletes qualify for the Monster Games by competing in an online qualifying stage in February. For more information visit, themonstergames.com.

About Visit Overland Park

Visit Overland Park serves as the official marketing organization for the city of Overland Park, Kansas. The organization is responsible for promoting the city as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to visit, live and work. The mission of Visit OP is to improve the quality of life for Overland Park residents through the economic and community benefits of tourism. For more information, go to visitoverlandpark.com.

About the Overland Park Convention Center

The award-winning Overland Park Convention Center opened in November of 2002 on a 26-acre site in the heart of Overland Park. Adorned with over sixty original works of art and equipped with state-of-the-art communications systems, the 245,000 sq. ft. floor complex features a 60,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall that connects to the 25,000 sq. ft. Edwin C. Eilert Ballroom and 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting room space. Natural light radiates throughout the unusually spacious (44,000 sq. ft.) pre-function and registration areas. For more information, visit opconventioncenter.com.

About the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City – or simply, The J – has been a part of the KC community since we originally opened in 1914. Located in the heart of Overland Park, The J has since expanded its footprint and the variety of programs, services, and attractions we offer to our members and guests. With more than 32,000 square feet of additional space after our recent renovation, The J is one of the largest community centers in the city in terms of sheer size and what we can offer to KC-area residents. For more information, visit thejkc.org.