2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games to be Co-Hosted
by Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation
2026 will mark the first time in Games history that the biennial multi-sport event has been jointly hosted by a city and First Nation
Flying Dust First Nation, SK (July 4, 2024) -- The Saskatchewan Games Council is pleased to announce that the upcoming 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will be jointly hosted by the neighbouring communities of Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation. This will mark the first time in the biennial multi-sport event program’s 52-year history that a city and First Nation have partnered in hosting the event. The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Meadow Lake-Flying Dust First Nation will take place on Treaty 6 Territory from February 15-21, 2026.
The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will bring together upwards of 1,800 participants and 5,000 spectators from every corner of the province. The weeklong event will be supported by over 1,000 community volunteers and will drive up to $5 million to the local economy through tourism spending, capital investment, and upgrades to sport facilities and equipment.
The neighbouring northwestern communities have proud histories of hosting major events. Flying Dust First Nation recently played host to the 2019 Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games, while Meadow Lake last hosted the Saskatchewan Games in the summer of 2012. One of the major hubs of activity during the Games will be the Co-Op Centre, a new multi-purpose arena and recreation facility that is slated to open in 2025. The 2026 Games will be co-chaired by Davin Hildebrand, Deputy Director of Education with Northwest School Division; Dwight King, Recreation Coordinator with Flying Dust First Nation; and Regan Beck, Parks and Recreation Manager with the City of Meadow Lake.
The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will feature 17 sports: Alpine Skiing, Artistic Swimming, Badminton, Biathlon, Bowling (5 Pin and Special Olympics), Cross Country and Para Nordic Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Futsal, Gymnastics, Judo, Speed Skating, Table Tennis, Target Shooting, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Ringette, which last featured at the 1998 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Nipawin.
The City of Lloydminster is currently gearing up to host the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games, which will take place this upcoming July 21-27. A full list of participants will be distributed to the media early next week.
Quotes
“Flying Dust First Nation is proud to co-host the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games with our neighbours, the City of Meadow Lake. We are excited to be the first First Nation to co-host a provincial sporting event, setting a benchmark for other Nations to host or co-host in future Games. The Saskatchewan Winter Games align perfectly with our shared goals, promoting sportsmanship, encouraging youth participation, community engagement, and utilising sport to develop the next generation of leaders. In addition, we look forward to having athletes and spectators from all over the province enjoy their time in Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation. On behalf of Flying Dust First Nation Chief and Council, we are honoured to be selected and look forward to making this a successful event.” -- Chief Tyson Bear, Flying Dust First Nation
"The City of Meadow Lake is thrilled to welcome the people of Saskatchewan to our city for the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games. We look forward to bringing together athletes, volunteers, and spectators from every corner of the province. This is an exciting collaboration with Flying Dust First Nation. Together we will celebrate sportsmanship, culture, and unity, making the Games a memorable and inclusive event for all.” -- Mayor Merlin Seymour, City of Meadow Lake
“The Saskatchewan Games Council is proud to partner with Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake on the hosting of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games. This partnership marks an important first in the history of our program. We look forward to bringing our province together through sport, culture, and community in February 2026, and to delivering an event that will leave lasting sport and community legacies that will benefit the region for many years to come.” -- Greg Perreaux, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Games Council
About the Saskatchewan Games
First established in 1972, the purpose of the biennial Saskatchewan Games is to provide an opportunity for the province’s developing athletes, coaches and officials to participate in an inclusive and exciting multi-sport event in preparation for a higher level of competition, including the Canada Games and North American Indigenous Games. Countless Saskatchewan Games alumni have advanced to competition on the national stage and beyond, with Olympic champions such as Emily Clark, Colleen Sostorics, and Lucas Makowsky counting the Saskatchewan Games as a key step along their journeys to the highest levels of sport. The Saskatchewan Games also leave behind valuable legacies that benefit each host community for years to come. To learn more, visit saskgames.ca.
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Media Contacts
Karen Lawson
Games Services and Communications Lead
Saskatchewan Games Council
klawson@saskgames.ca | (306) 529-3120
Greg Perreaux
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Games Council
gperreaux@saskgames.ca | (306) 530-2161