Saskatchewan Games

The Saskatchewan Summer Games and Saskatchewan Winter Games are biennial multi-sport events held in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The governing body for the Saskatchewan Games is the Saskatchewan Games Council, a non-profit organization who has held responsibility for organizing the Games since 2006. Prior to the Council's incorporation, the program was managed by the Government of Saskatchewan. The Council is a member organization of Sask Sport Inc. and receives funding through Sask Lotteries.

The most recent Saskatchewan Winter Games took place in Regina from February 18-23, 2023, while the most recent Saskatchewan Summer Games took place in Lloydminster from July 21-27, 2024. The next edition of the Winter Games will take place in Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake from February 15-21, 2026; this will mark the first time in the program's history that a First Nation and neighbouring city will co-host the event.

The purpose of the Saskatchewan Games is to provide an opportunity for the province’s developing athletes, coaches and officials to participate in a multi sport event in preparation for a higher level of competition. Many Saskatchewan Games alumni have gone on to compete at larger national and international events, including the Canada Games and the North American Indigenous Games. A number of Canadian Olympic champions, including Colleen Sostorics, Emily Clark, and Lucas Makowsky, competed at the Saskatchewan Games early in their athletic careers.

History

The games began in 1972 when Roy Romanow, then Minister in charge of the Saskatchewan Youth Agency, announced the inauguration of the Games. The first Saskatchewan Summer Games were held in 1972 in Moose Jaw, and the first Saskatchewan Winter Games were held two years later in North Battleford.

The 2020 Saskatchewan Summer Games were initially scheduled to be held in Lloydminster. They were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but on December 21, 2020, it was announced that the games had been cancelled in full due to continued health and safety concerns. Lloydminster received the right of first refusal to host the 2024 Games, which it accepted. In January 2022, the 2022 Saskatchewan Winter Games were also postponed due to COVID-19, citing the current Omicron variant and advice from public health officials. The postponed Winter Games went forward in February 2023.

Host cities

Citing that they typically bid for national and international events, and to encourage the Games to be held in smaller cities, Regina and Saskatoon are ineligible to bid for any Saskatchewan Games. An exception was made for the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games, which were awarded for the first time to Regina; the Saskatchewan Games Council cited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smaller cities, and as being a special occasion to mark the 50th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Games.

Sports

Summer sports

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Winter sports

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Participating teams

Nine district teams, each representing a different region of Saskatchewan, participate in each instalment of the games. Two of the teams (Regina and Saskatoon) represent the province's main urban centres, while the other seven teams represent a mix of urban and rural athletes. The district teams, ordered by population, and the cities they include are listed as follows.