By Evan Midford, Website & Social Media Coordinator
August 14, 2024 – Winnipeg, MB – The City of Thompson will host the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba announced today. These Games will welcome more than 1,500 athletes, 300 coaches and managers, 100 officials, and upwards of 750 volunteers from throughout Manitoba in March 2026. This will mark the third time Thompson has hosted (1994 and 2018).
Athletes between the ages of 10-17 will travel from across Manitoba to represent their region and sport at the province’s largest multi-sport event, competing in 12 sports over seven days: ringette, archery, speed skating, futsal, alpine skiing, curling, gymnastics, figure skating, cross country skiing, wrestling, badminton, and hockey.
As a first introduction to a major multi-sport event, the Games are an important step in the performance pathway. Some of these athletes will go on to compete in national and international events, like the Canada Games, Pan American Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympic Games.
Our Provincial Sport Organizations are responsible for coordinating Manitoba Games eligibility, training camps, and tryouts. For more sport-specific information, visit their websites.
The Manitoba Games also benefit the host community in a variety of ways, including creating physical legacies, leadership development opportunities, and bringing visitors into the region. An economic impact study conducted by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance determined the 2018 Games in Thompson generated $1.7 million in economic activity in Manitoba, including a $591,696 boost to provincial GDP, and $859,000 in direct spending.
To learn more about the community impact of hosting a Manitoba Games, visit our website.
Quotes
“Seeing the passion of their community, the economic impact, and the lasting legacies as a result of hosting the Games twice before, we have no doubt they will welcome Manitobans for yet another experience of a lifetime in 2026. Thank you to the vibrant City of Thompson, the PSOs,
and our sponsors – we can’t wait to be back!”
– Janet McMahon, President & CEO, Sport Manitoba
“We are excited for the opportunity to once again host the Manitoba Winter Games. Thompson has a long tradition of putting together first-class events and the 2026 Games will be no exception. We look forward to building on the success of the 2018 Games and creating wonderful memories for another generation of young Manitoba athletes.”
– Todd Harwood and Cristy Andres, 2026 Manitoba Winter Games Co-Chairs
“The City of Thompson is thrilled to host the Manitoba Winter Games for the second time in eight years in 2026. Thompson has seen changes since 2018 but our community’s northern hospitality and ability to organize a fantastic event are as strong as ever. There’s no doubt it will be another fantastic week for athletes, visitors and volunteers!”
– Mayor Colleen Smook, City of Thompson
“Manitoba Hydro is proud to be the title sponsor of the Manitoba Games, bringing the energy and spirit of sport to communities across Manitoba since 2006. As our province’s largest energy service provider, we are committed to supporting events and activities that create a vibrant, stronger Manitoba for all. We value the importance of supporting youth through sport, recognizing how the camaraderie, teamwork and competition experienced at the Manitoba Games build skills for success that last a lifetime. On behalf of Manitoba Hydro, congratulations to the City of Thompson and thank you to the many residents, area businesses, sponsors, and volunteers who will be working hard to host a welcoming and exciting event in 2026.”
– Jeff Betker, Vice-President, External and Indigenous Relations and Communications, Manitoba Hydro
About
The Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro are the province’s largest ongoing multi-sport program, which brings together over 1,900 participants from across the province to compete at the highest level every two years.
Sport Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching.
Manitoba Hydro is a provincial Crown Corporation and one of the largest integrated electricity and natural gas distribution utilities in Canada. We are committed to serving as a trusted energy advisor and providing safe, reliable and affordable service to our over 616,000 electric and over 296,000 natural gas customers. Over 97 per cent of electricity generated in Manitoba is from renewable, virtually emission-free hydropower produced at 16 hydroelectric generating stations on the Nelson, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Burntwood and Laurie rivers. Manitoba Hydro has a presence right across Manitoba — on Treaty 1, Treaty 2, Treaty 3, Treaty 4 and Treaty 5 lands — the original territories of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples – and the homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge these lands and pay our respects to the ancestors of these territories. We are one of Manitoba’s largest employers and are recognized as a top employer. We conduct our relationships and our work with the utmost integrity, care and respect for our customers and community, and work to further our province’s economic and social growth.
