Jul. 26—HANOVER TWP. — It's official.

For the next six years, Pennsylvania's largest amateur sports competition will continue to call Luzerne County home.

The announcement that the Games had signed a six-year contract extension to stay in Luzerne County was made during Monday night's Keystone State Games kickoff press conference, held at the Wyoming Valley Country Club after the annual Keystone Classic golf tournament had wrapped up.

"It is my absolute honor to be able to announce that the Keystone State Games and our partner, the Luzerne County Convention and Visitor's Bureau have gone into a six-year extension to the Games, and we will be here in Luzerne County until 2028," said Keystone State Games Executive Director James Costello as he opened the press conference.

"This (county) is absolutely a hidden gem when it comes to amateur sports and our sports market."

The Games began their stay in Luzerne County back in 2018, and have continued to grow and bring in more athletes and spectators from all over the commonwealth and even beyond over the years.

"We're going to have 5,000 participants from 18 different states coming through here to see our wonderful facilities, meet wonderful people, eat wonderful food," Costello added.

Costello was joined in making this announcement by Alan K. Stout, the executive director of Visit Luzerne County. Stout echoed the numbers laid out by Costello in terms of people visiting the county over the course of the competition, and noted the impact this traffic would have on the local economy.

"Because of the great economic impact that the Games have on a community, there are many other counties throughout the Commonwealth that would love to host them," Stout said. "Thus, we are both thrilled and appreciative to be making this announcement."

Approximately 3,100 participants and 4,700 spectators staying in Luzerne County hotels, eating in county restaurants and visiting county attractions, Stout said, will generate approximately $3 million into the Luzerne County economy each year the Games are held here.

"Visit Luzerne County is a proud sponsor of the Keystone State Games and will continue to be so in the coming years," Stout said. "We welcome all of the participants, families and friends into our community."

Costello praised the various Keystone Games sponsors for the work they do and help they provide, including health sponsor Geisinger and media sponsor Times Leader Media Group.

"It truly makes it a special event when those athletes get to see the coverage," Costello said.

Luzerne County Manager Randy Robertson, who will be experiencing his first Keystone State Games this summer after taking the top job in June, expressed his excitement that the Games will be staying here in the county.

"This is phenomenal. ... It's a chance to showcase our county, to showcase places like this," Robertson said Monday, referencing the country club host for Monday's press conference.

"All said and done, this is a win-win for our county. ... We look forward to another great six years."