BURSTThe 2028 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games are coming to Kelowna
The games will take place throughout the city from Feb. 28 to March 4. Kelowna will be the first-ever city in B.C. to host the winter games and will build on the 2024 winter games that were held in Calgary.
“Kelowna is proud and excited to welcome the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in 2028,” said Mayor Tom Dyas in a release. “This is a major moment for our city and a reflection of Kelowna’s growing reputation as a world-class host for national events that bring people together and deliver real benefits for our community.”
The event is set to be play host to around 1,300 athletes and coaches who will compete in the sports of curling, figure skating, speed skating, alpine skiing, five-pin bowling, snowshoeing and floor hockey or floorball. The games will be played in several venues throughout the Kelowna, and will bring in a forecasted $7 million in economic impact to local businesses.
Athletes in the Kelowna 2028 games will also have a chance to earn a spot on Special Olympics Team Canada at the 2029 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Switzerland.
Gail Hamamoto, CEO of Special Olympics Canada said that Kelowna’s bid to host the games stood out due to the city’s “strong focus on athlete experience.”
“Special Olympics Canada is confident the city will deliver an exceptional Winter Games.”
The announcement adds on to an already packed lineup of upcoming sporting events in Kelowna, as the 2026 Memorial Cup is set to come to the city in spring and the BC Lions are prepared to touch down on Kelowna soil in the summer.
This will also be the first time B.C. has held a Special Olympics event since 2014, when Vancouver hosted the summer games.