News

The countdown is on! One year to go until the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games
Feb 15, 2025

One Year to Go Until the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games in

Flying Dust First Nation-City of Meadow Lake

 

Meadow Lake, SK (February 15, 2025) – On Saturday, the one-year countdown officially began ahead of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games. The biennial multi-sport event will take place from February 15-21, 2026 in the neighbouring northwestern Saskatchewan communities of Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake, marking the first-ever time that a City and First Nation have partnered to host the Games.

The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games will bring together upwards of 1,500 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.

“As we eagerly anticipate the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games, our community is brimming with excitement. This event promises to inspire and uplift our young athletes, showcasing their incredible talent and dedication. The partnership between Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and community spirit. We look forward to welcoming everyone and creating lasting memories that will resonate for years to come,” said Meadow Lake Mayor Merlin Seymour.

While each sport’s age classification varies, athletes participating in the Games will generally range from 11-18 years of age. Athletes can qualify for the Games through a tryout process, which will begin in late 2025 and continue into early 2026. Tryouts and qualification standards will be managed by each sport’s Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). Coaches and managers can take part through an application process managed by each PSO. More information and details will be published on saskgames.ca throughout the lead-up to the Games. Interested participants can learn more about how to get involved here, and general FAQs are available at this link.

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, Ringette, Speed Skating, Table Tennis, Target Shooting, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. Athlete age categories, competition dates, and sport technical packages are now available at saskgames.ca/winter/sports.

More than 1,000 community volunteers will be recruited to help stage the Games and welcome the province to Flying Dust First Nation and Meadow Lake. The volunteer drive is expected to get underway later in 2025.

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.

Digital Media Kit

 

Saskatchewan Games Social Channels

Facebook: Saskatchewan Games | 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games

Twitter: @saskgames

Instagram: @saskatchewangames | @2026saskgames

LinkedIn: Saskatchewan Games Council Inc.

 

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Media Contacts

Kaitlin Harman

Marketing & Communications Chair

2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games

kaitlin.harman@nwsd.ca | (306) 240-0234

 

Karen Lawson

Games Services and Communications Lead

Saskatchewan Games Council

klawson@saskgames.ca | (306) 529-3120