BC Games Society releases Core Sport Policy for 2028 BC Winter and BC Summer Games
The BC Games Society has released the Core Sport Policy for the 2028 BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
The Core Sport Policy outlines how sports are included in the BC Winter and BC Summer Games. It ensures the Games continue to reflect the BC Games Society’s commitment to athlete development, responsible sport delivery, and meaningful participation opportunities across British Columbia.
The Policy is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of the BC Games Society and is guided by five key principles: dedicated, accountable, collaborative, evolving, and excellence. These principles shape how decisions are made and how the policy is applied.
Sport organizations who are not currently part of the BC Games are invited to apply for inclusion by demonstrating how the Games would fit into their sport development plans and how the Games would be used as an integral part of athlete, coach, and officials’ development models.
The application deadline for new sports is February 19, 2026, while the deadline for sports in the Games to apply for major changes is detailed in the Core Sport Timeline with different timing for winter and summer sports.
Existing sports in the BC Winter or BC Summer Games do not need to re-apply, but do go through a post-Games evaluation process as per the Core Sport criteria.
For details, refer to the following documents:
Questions about the Core Sport application process can be directed to coresport@bcgames.org.
About the BC Games Society
Established in 1977 by the B.C. Government under the Societies Act, the BC Games Society (the Society) oversees the BC Winter Games and BC Summer Games. The Society also supports the participation of Team BC, the provincial team competing at Canada Games, in national multi-sport Games. Each of these Games provide opportunities for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition. For host communities, the Games provide the chance to build or enhance their capacity to attract and deliver major events. Team BC’s Mission Staff are able to develop and enhance competencies such as leadership, teamwork, time management and organizational skills. BC Games also provide important economic and tourism benefits, allowing hosts to profile their communities and benefit from an economic impact in the range of $1.6 million to $2 million. The legacies of the BC Winter and BC Summer Games allow for capacity building in communities across the province resulting in a stronger British Columbia.
Kelowna Marks ‘One Year Out’ With Celebration at Falcons Game
BC Summer Games returns to Kelowna in 2026, for the fourth time in its history
Kelowna, BC — Under the warm Okanagan sun at Elks Stadium on Sunday, local leaders, Games alumni, and baseball fans came together to mark a major milestone: exactly one year to go until Kelowna welcomes the province for the 2026 BC Summer Games.
Before the Kelowna Falcons took to the field, a short ceremony celebrated the official “One Year Out” countdown to the Games, which will see as many as 3,000 athletes, coaches, and officials descend on the city next July.
The pre-game event was led by the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games Board of Directors, with remarks from Mayor Tom Dyas, Games President, Devin Rubadeau, and Twyla Lindley, Director of Indigenous Engagement for the Games. All three spoke to the spirit of sport, the power of community, and the opportunities the Games bring to youth across the province.
Following the speeches, Mayor Dyas and Councillor Maxine DeHart received the BC Games flag. The handoff was followed by cheers from the crowd, and a well-aimed ceremonial first pitch from Rubadeau to officially start the night’s game.
A pop-up information booth at the stadium provided fans with details about the upcoming Games and how to get involved, including opportunities for the 2,500+ volunteers needed to help host the event. This will be the 34th BC Summer Games and the fourth time Kelowna has played host.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Games back to Kelowna,” said Rubadeau. “These Games are about more than competition. They’re about building confidence, leadership, and friendships that last far beyond the medal count.”
Set to take place over five days July 2026, the Games will include 19 sports, from athletics to wrestling, and will reflect the diversity and inclusiveness of sport in BC, including events for Special Olympics athletes, as well as para-swimming events.
With just one year to go, organizers say planning is ramping up, and Sunday’s celebration was just the beginning. For more information on the 2026 BC Summer Games and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.bcgames.org
PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the BC Games Board of Directors and BC Games alumni join Mayor Tom Dyas and Councillor Maxine DeHart on the field at Elks Stadium for the official “One Year Out” celebration for the 2026 BC Summer Games, coming to Kelowna next July.
Media Contact
Christina Skinner
Public Relations Chair, Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games pr@bcsummergames.ca
BC Games Society announces sport package for Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games
The BC Games Society has announced the full contingent of sports that will take part in the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games from July 22 to 26, 2026.
Just over 3,000 athletes, coaches, and officials will participate across 19 sports in Kelowna, which previously hosted the BC Games in 1980, 1994, and 2008.
Earlier in 2025, Horse Council BC, Basketball BC, and BC Soccer announced the withdrawal of equestrian, 3×3 basketball, and soccer from the 2026 BC Summer Games. All accredited provincial or disability sport organizations will be invited to apply or reapply for inclusion in the 2028 BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
Inclusion of sports in the BC Games is determined through the Core Sport Policy. The policy outlines the criteria that provincial and disability sport organizations must meet to qualify and ensures that the BC Games continues to deliver exceptional experiences through sport to young athletes from all over the province.
The BC Winter and BC Summer Games are British Columbia’s biennial celebration of sport and community. Since 1978, the BC Games have had over 370,000 participants and volunteers, plus thousands more attend as spectators and supporters.
To learn more about the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games, visit bcsummergames.ca.
| AGES | GENDER | SPORT | ATHLETES | COACHES | OFFICIALS | TOTAL |
| 11–15 | M & F | Artistic Swimming | 56 | 16 | 17 | 89 |
| 14–15 | M & F | Athletics | 288 | 32 | 41 | 361 |
| 12–40 | M & F | Athletics-Special Olympics | 16 | 4 | 1 | 21 |
| 15U; 16U | M & F | Baseball | 128 | 24 | 22 | 174 |
| U14 | M | Basketball-Boys | 80 | 16 | 11 | 107 |
| U14 | F | Basketball-Girls | 80 | 16 | 11 | 107 |
| 17U | M & F | Beach Volleyball | 32 | 16 | 8 | 56 |
| 15–16 | M & F | Box Lacrosse | 152 | 32 | 14 | 198 |
| 13–16; U19 | M & F | Canoe/Kayak | 104 | 32 | 25 | 161 |
| 14–15 | M & F | Field Lacrosse | 152 | 32 | 14 | 198 |
| 12–16 | M & F | Golf | 48 | 16 | 15 | 79 |
| U17 | M & F | Rowing | 64 | 16 | 12 | 92 |
| U17 | F | Rugby-Girls | 96 | 24 | 12 | 132 |
| U15; U19 | M & F | Sailing | 72 | 16 | 7 | 95 |
| U15 | F | Softball-Girls | 120 | 32 | 12 | 164 |
| U15 | M & F | Swimming | 160 | 16 | 30 | 206 |
| 13–30 | M & F | Swimming-Para | 8 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| 12–40 | M & F | Swimming-Special Olympics | 24 | 6 | 1 | 31 |
| 10–17 | M & F | Towed Water Sports | 48 | 16 | 20 | 84 |
| 14–15 | M & F | Triathlon | 52 | 16 | 8 | 76 |
| 13–15 | M & F | Ultimate | 112 | 16 | 0 | 128 |
| 15U | M | Volleyball-Boys | 112 | 16 | 6 | 134 |
| 15U | F | Volleyball-Girls | 112 | 16 | 6 | 134 |
| 14–17 | M & F | Wrestling | 136 | 16 | 14 | 166 |
| TOTALS | 2252 | 445 | 308 | 3005 |
Alison Noble, President and CEO, BC Games Society
“The BC Games are a crucial step in the sport development pathway in British Columbia and the 2026 BC Summer Games represent an exciting opportunity for athletes, coaches, and officials across these 19 sports to create lasting memories. Kelowna has a long history of hosting successful BC Games and we look forward to watching B.C.’s up and coming athletes develop and experience the magic of the Games once again 2026.”
Diane St-Denis, Executive Director, Softball BC
“The BC Summer Games offer a vital development opportunity for softball athletes, coaches, and umpires. This multi-sport event serves as a natural stepping stone for those aiming to compete at higher levels, including the Canada Games and the national team. Participants can aspire to follow in the footsteps of BC Games alumni and Olympic bronze medalists Emma Entzminger and Sara Groenewegen. Additionally, the Games provide an excellent platform for umpires looking to advance to pan-provincial and national competitions.”
MEDIA CONTACT
David Conlin
Senior Manager-Marketing and Communications
BC Games Society
davidc@bcgames.org