Kelowna to host 2028 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

Kelowna has been selected to host the first-ever Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in BC.

The games will be held from Feb. 28 to March 4, 2028 with the theme Empowering Athletes, Inspiring Generations, according to a joint media release from Special Olympics Canada, the City of Kelowna and Tourism Kelowna issued today, Jan. 20.

“Having Special Olympics Canada Games return to our province for the first time in 14 years will be a powerful source of pride, inspiration, and growth for our Special Olympics BC community,” Special Olympics British Columbia president and CEO Dan Howe said in the release.

Organizers are confident the city has the capacity to host 1,300 participants, including athletes and coaches, plus friends and families of the athletes.

There will be eight winter sports hosted at seven venues throughout the city including curling, figure skating, speed skating, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, five-pin bowling, snowshoeing, and floor hockey or floorball.

The Kelowna 2028 Games are a qualifying event for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Switzerland in 2029.

“Kelowna’s bid stood out for its strong focus on the athlete experience,” Special Olympics Canada chief executive officer Gail Hamamoto said in the release.

Special Olympics Canada was established in 1974 to empower individuals, chance attitudes and build communities through sport. More than 41,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities partake in year-round programs across the country.

For more information about Special Olympics Canada go here.