Community comes together in successful bid for 2028 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

Kelowna will once again showcase its talent as a major event host in 2028 when the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games come to town.

Kelowna is B.C.’s first community to host the event and organizers promise to deliver world-class sport, inspire local athletes, bring the community together in celebration and generate an estimated $5 - $7 million in shoulder season economic impact.

The Games, happening Feb. 28 to March 4, 2028, are themed “Empowering Athletes, Inspiring Generations.”  

Approximately 1,300 athletes and coaches will compete across eight winter sport including curling, figure skating, speed skating, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, five-pin bowling, snowshoeing, and floor hockey or floorball and will be hosted at seven venues throughout the community. 

The event will serve as a qualifying event for athletes to represent Special Olympics Team Canada at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Switzerland in 2029.

“Kelowna is the first B.C. host of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games and that was made possible through the same spirit of collaboration the Games are built on,” said Chris Babcock, Event Development Manager. “The City partnered with Tourism Canada, Special Olympics Kelowna and numerous members of the sporting community to put together the successful bid and more community members will come together to form the host committee.”

The host committee for the 2028 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games will lead delivery of the Games, bringing together community expertise to support event planning, ticket sales, promotions, venue set up and services for athletes.

The Games are expected to create new jobs, including direct delivery roles  as well as positions in local hospitality, transportation, and service sectors.

“In recent years, Kelowna has emerged as a trusted host for major sporting and cultural events,” adds Babcock, “We continue to deliver exceptional experiences at both the athlete and community level and we’re excited to bring our ”A” game in 2028.”  

In the past year, Kelowna has hosted the Canadian Premier League’s inaugural soccer match, the 2025 Canadian Country Music Awards and the Brier curling championships, and this year, will host the CHL’s Memorial Cup in March, the Canadian Elite Basketball League for Kelowna Hoopfest in June along with the BC Lions during Touchdown Kelowna and the BC Summer Games in July.