McDonald’s All American Games Return to Atlanta in 2019

The 42nd Annual Games Will Highlight the Nation’s Top High School Basketball Players at the New State Farm Arena

McDonald’s continues its 42-year history of supporting and investing in the nation’s top high school basketball players through its annual McDonald’s All American Games. The 2019 Games and halftime show are returning to Atlanta for the second year in a row on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks. The city previously hosted the 1983 and 1992 Boys Games and 2018 Games.

The McDonald’s All American Games Fan Fest will occur on Sunday, March 24, offering activities for the entire family, artist performances and delicious McDonald’s food with the annual POWERADE® Jam Fest being held on March 25.

“We’re thrilled to return to Atlanta after experiencing such positive energy and palpable enthusiasm from the city during the 2018 Games,” said Morgan Wootten and Joe Wootten, McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee Co-Chairmen. “We look forward to another successful year celebrating the top high school talent with passionate basketball fans.”

To commemorate the return to Atlanta and ensure McDonald’s changes the Games for an even better fan experience this year, McDonald’s has teamed up with former All American and current Atlanta Hawks rookie Trae Young and Atlanta-based artist Travis Love for the announcement. Love has designed a limited edition ATL and Games-inspired custom pair of the newly released adidas Harden vol. 3 shoes, which Young will giveaway to one lucky fan on social media.

“The design that I developed inspired by the McDonald’s All American Games is a representation of togetherness and unity through abstract shapes – all to represent a visual harmony,” said Travis Love, Atlanta-based artist. “I feel like this is also closely related to how a basketball team has to work together as a team on the court creating a harmony, a unit making them most effective.”

Young will give away one pair of the custom shoes on his Instagram account to a lucky follower of @McDAAG who comments with the hashtag #WhereTheFutureStarts and @-tags a friend on his Games-related post. Fans can increase their odds of winning by posting multiple comments until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 25.

“When I was selected to play in the McDonald’s All American Games two years ago, it was such a big moment for me and it’s something I’ll never forget,” said Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks point guard and AAG alumni. “I’m excited The 2019 Games will be in my new hometown of Atlanta, and fans will get to see these players’ hard work showcased on a national stage.”

Since the Games’ inception in 1977, more than 1,300 players have joined the prestigious ranks of McDonald’s All Americans. These men and women form an elite group of some of the top names in basketball history including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart.

On Wednesday, March 27, the 2019 McDonald’s All American Games Girls Game will air on ESPN2 with the Boys Game immediately following on ESPN2. Check local listings for broadcast times. Special ticket packages will be available beginning October 23 at Ticketmaster with general admission and presale tickets going on sale at a later date.

The McDonald’s All-American Games will continue to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) through its network of local Chapters. At RMHC, programs like the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provide comfort and compassion to families with sick children so they are fully supported and able to be a part of their children’s care.

For more information about the McDonald’s All American Games, please visit www.mcdaag.com and follow @McDAAG on Twitter.

About McDonald’s USA

McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through its global network of over 275 Chapters in more than 64 countries and regions, and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC helps families with sick children stay together, and close to the medical care their child needs at leading hospitals worldwide. RMHC programs not only provide access to quality health care, they enable family-centered care ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their children’s care. For more information, visit rmhc.org. Follow @RMHC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About State Farm Arena

Home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, State Farm Arena opens its doors in October 2018 following the 2nd largest renovation in NBA history. Inspired by the fans, State Farm Arena is a next-generation venue focused on experience, service and entertainment. With the NBA’s third-largest center-hung scoreboard and an immersive video experience, fan-friendly food pricing and premium restaurant options, Topgolf Swing Suites and celebrity-inspired spaces accessible to every fan, the downtown Atlanta arena stakes its claim as the city’s best sports and live entertainment venue. Consistently ranked among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world by Pollstar, State Farm Arena hosts approximately 170 events and nearly 2 million guests annually. For more information on State Farm Arena, log on to www.statefarmarena.com today or follow us on Twitter @StateFarmArena.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.