FAQs

  • When and where are the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games?
  • How old are the athletes who will be competing in the Games?
    • Each sport sets its own age classification, but typically athletes will range from ages 11-17. View the age classifications for each sport here.
  • How do I participate in the Games as an athlete, coach, or manager?
    • Each Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) manages the qualification and tryout process for its sport in the lead-up to the Games.
      • Athletes will qualify for the Games through a tryout process managed by their sport's PSO. Each sport's tryout schedule will differ slightly, but generally, tryouts will take place across the province in late 2025 and into early 2026. Check our sport pages for more information on age eligibility and other details.
      • Coaches and managers will be selected by each sport's PSO through an application process. Current opportunities and vacancies will be published on our website once they become available.
      • Details on the selection process can be found in each individual sport's technical package, available here. If you have further questions about the selection process, please contact your sport's Provincial Technical Liaison, whose contact information is included at the bottom of each sport's technical package.
      • Please review the eligibility criteria in your sport's technical package, as well as confirm which District you reside in, to ensure that you attend the correct District tryout event(s). Athletes may only attend the tryout event(s) of one District Team per sport.
  • Where and when will tryouts happen?
    • Most sports will schedule their tryouts between November 2025 and January 2026. A list of upcoming sport tryouts and qualifying events will be made available on our website in late 2025. Check our sport pages for more information about eligibility criteria.
  • How do I know which District team I try out for?
    • Teams for the Saskatchewan Games are divided into nine Districts. Each District has specific boundaries that are based on RM boundaries. A list of the Districts and more information on their boundaries can be viewed in the Saskatchewan Games Handbook. 
    • The Athlete Eligibility Policy is available for your review and provides additional details.
    • If you have more questions regarding your District Team, please contact the Saskatchewan Games Council for clarification.
  • Can an athlete participate in more than one sport at the Games?
    • Athletes can compete in two sports if they occur in separate halves of the Games. Athletes must try out and qualify for each sport separately. A breakdown of which sports occur in which half of the Games will be available on our website in early 2025. Athletes competing in two sports are only required to pay one athlete fee.
  • Once I've been selected as a participant for the Games, how do I register?
    • ​The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will employ an online registration system called GEMS.pro. Once you are selected, the registration link will be distributed to you by your PSO and/or District Team Chef de Mission. Detailed instructions for how to register will be available on our website.
  • What happens if I qualify for two sports taking place during both halves of the Games? Do I register twice?
    • ​Congratulations! All two-sport athletes must create two registration profiles in the GEMS.pro system, one for each of the sports you will be competing in. You can use the same email to create both registration profiles; when you log in using that email, you will be given a drop-down menu option to select which account you wish to access. Please ensure you include all details on both of your registration profiles (e.g. medical information, allergies, parent/guardian contact information). You are only required to pay one participation fee.
  • Is there a Saskatchewan Games Code of Conduct?
  • What are the Saskatchewan Games' policies around Safe Sport?
    • The Saskatchewan Games Council is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all participants of the Saskatchewan Games. Please read through our Safe Sport section to learn more.
  • Is there a cost to participate in the Games?
    • Participating in the Saskatchewan Games carries a fee for athletes only (coaches, managers, officials, and volunteers do not pay a fee). This fee is applied to the costs associated with the Games, including your ceremonial walkout uniform, meals during the Games, and transportation to and from Flying Dust First Nation/Meadow Lake. Athletes can pay via credit card/PayPal when registering. If you are unable to pay online or via credit card, please reach out to your District Chef de Mission.
    • Some Provincial Sport Organizations may also require a fee to help cover costs of tryouts, practices and competition uniforms. It is at the PSO's discretion as to whether a separate fee is collected and how much that fee will be.
  • Where will I be staying and eating meals during the Games?
    • All athletes, coaches, and managers will be housed in the Athletes' Village (location TBA). Meals will be served at the Athletes' Village, and grazing items will also be available for participants. Boxed meals will be available for participants who are competing during mealtimes.
  • How do I get to Flying Dust First Nation/Meadow Lake to attend the Games?
    • ​Each participant will receive transportation to and from Flying Dust First Nation/Meadow Lake from a central community within their District via chartered bus. More details about external transportation, including dates, times, and drop-off/pick-up locations, will be distributed to all participants by their District Team once the final roster for each team is named in early 2026.
  • I'm interested in volunteering at the Saskatchewan Games. What can I do and how do I sign up?
    • The Host Society is looking for over 1,000 volunteers to help make the Games successful and showcase Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake to the entire province. Volunteers will be required to assist with everything from scorekeeping at events, to taking photos, to preparing and serving the athletes their meals! There will be volunteer positions available for people of all abilities, ages, and availability. The volunteer drive will officially launch in 2025, with more information available in the coming months.