Articles

Lethbridge News Now reported that Strathcona County was selected to host the 2026 Alberta Summer Games, the 25th edition of the provincial multi-sport event. The article said the Government of Alberta announced an operating grant of $820,000 for the host society, intended to help cover operating costs like staffing, transportation, and promotions. It quoted Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow on legacy benefits for host communities and on the athlete experience. The story said the Alberta Games planning committee could move ahead with selecting exact dates now that the host was named, and it referenced past Games formats and example sports. It also included provincial figures about the 2023 Games in Okotoks and Diamond Valley, including athlete participation, visitor counts, and an estimated economic boost. The piece quoted MLA Nate Glubish and Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank, noted Strathcona County previously hosted the 1987 Alberta Summer Games and the 2000 Alberta Winter Games, and described athlete qualification through zone playoffs.

With Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in view, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said it is strengthening its esports partnership with Tencent. In a January 21, 2026 update from Kuwait City, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam praised Tencent's commitment to developing esports in Asia and pointed to an agreement signed during the OCA's 101st Executive Board Meeting in Manama the previous October. The OCA said the cooperation builds on Tencent Esports' experience from Jakarta 2018, where esports were presented as a demonstration sport, and Hangzhou 2023, where esports were medal events. Al Musallam described the cooperation as moving toward joint work on competition systems and technical standards, and the OCA said Tencent will further develop the Tencent Esports Competition System (ECS). According to the OCA, ECS is designed to provide end-to-end technical support for future Asian Games starting with Aichi-Nagoya later in 2026, with an emphasis on consistent standards of fairness, stability and efficiency. The OCA noted that its General Assembly in Tashkent was scheduled for January 26, 2026.

A December 11, 2025 media release from Kootenay Savings Credit Union and the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation announces a $25,000 partnership supporting the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games. The release says the commitment designates Kootenay Savings Credit Union as the Games' Official Financial Institution and names the Foundation as a Community Partner sponsor. It characterizes the Winter Games as both a sporting event and a catalyst for community pride and economic vitality, and includes comments from Mike Konkin in his roles with both organizations. The release projects the Games will welcome about 1,200 young athletes, coaches, and officials to the region in February 2026 and notes the event is the 33rd BC Winter Games. It also highlights the local theme, 'From metals to medals: forging community in sport,' and lists prior Trail/Rossland-area hosting years for BC Winter, BC Summer, and BC Senior Games. Volunteer scale is also noted, including more than 1,500 volunteers and preparation of more than 25,000 meals.

Rossland's Black Jack Ski Club has broken ground on a new day lodge as part of its preparations for the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games. The club says the fully accessible lodge will be about 2,750 square feet and is expected to open before the Games, when Black Jack is scheduled to host cross country skiing and biathlon. The story frames the building as a legacy project that grew out of several years of planning, fundraising, and design work, including a push to upgrade basic infrastructure like running water, indoor washrooms, storage, and heated space. It notes the club used the operational pause during the COVID-19 pandemic to refine its long-term strategic plan and then accelerated fundraising after Trail and Rossland were named Winter Games hosts. Local builder DJM was selected for the construction. Beyond the Games, the lodge is described as a year-round community asset, supporting off-season events and gatherings, with views over the Black Jack stadium and Red Mountain.

Kelowna's official 'One Year Out' celebration for the 2026 BC Summer Games was staged at a Kelowna Falcons baseball game at Elks Stadium, with local leaders and Games representatives marking the countdown. The BC Games Society report says the Games will bring as many as 3,000 athletes, coaches, and officials to the city next July and will require more than 2,500 volunteers, with organizers using a pop-up information booth to share ways to get involved. The pre-game ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Tom Dyas, Games President Devin Rubadeau, and Twyla Lindley, the Games' Director of Indigenous Engagement, highlighting community spirit and youth opportunity. The story also describes a BC Games flag handoff to Mayor Dyas and Councillor Maxine DeHart, followed by a ceremonial first pitch to start the game. It notes the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games will include 19 sports and will reflect inclusive programming, including Special Olympics events and para-swimming. The piece frames the milestone as the start of an intensifying planning phase as the Games approach.

Diario Libre covered the official unveiling of the logo and visual identity for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, describing it as the moment the Dominican Republic started the countdown toward hosting in 2026. The report says the branding and graphic line were designed by branding specialist Silvia Molina and presented at an evening event attended by President Luis Abinader, organizers, athletes and former athletes, business leaders, and public officials including Santo Domingo mayor Carolina Mejia. It notes that the Dominican Republic has prior hosting experience with the Central American and Caribbean Games and other major multi-sport events. Organizing committee president Jose Monegro told attendees the Games could draw about 100,000 visitors and contribute roughly $300 million to the Dominican economy, while also serving as a platform to promote the country as a tourism destination and highlight its culture and hospitality. According to the article, Abinader committed government support for staging the event and ordered repairs to existing sports facilities and urban improvements around key sports zones such as the Olympic Center and Parque del Este.

In ANSA's report on a site visit in Taranto, Italy's Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi says the works connected to the Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026 are progressing in a way that respects the commitments already made. ANSA describes Abodi's inspection of construction sites for facilities intended for the Games and says the visit reviewed the current state of works and the next organizational steps. Abodi is quoted as saying the advancement respects agreed timelines and that collaboration should continue in compliance with rules. On accommodation for guests on cruise ships, he says they are waiting for a definitive decision by the Italian Navy, while adding that the technical conditions are in place. Abodi says that once the framework is clarified, a market selection procedure can begin for an operator, and he also underlines his coordinating role in helping conditions for agreement between the organizing committee and the international committee. He adds that he expects the organizing committee to generate the resources needed to complete the overall economic framework.

A Quebec government press release distributed on CNW/Newswire says the province is providing total support of 7.4 million dollars connected to the 2026 winter Final of the Jeux du Quebec in Blainville. It splits the amount into 6 million dollars for facility upgrades and 1.4 million dollars to support the organization of the Games. The release says the 6 million comes from the Program of support for infrastructures for the Jeux du Quebec and will fund renovations at the Centre Guy-Frigon and the Arena de Blainville. It specifies exterior facade work, modernization of locker rooms and washrooms, and also notes a concrete surface renovation at Centre Guy-Frigon. For the arena, it adds that a multipurpose room will be added. The additional 1.4 million dollars is described as funding that lets the organizing committee put optimal athlete support and services in place. The same release includes background that the Jeux du Quebec alternate summer and winter editions each year and have been held since 1971.

Centro Caribe Sports reported that the Santo Domingo 2026 Organizing Committee appointed Alberto Zayas as General Producer of the Opening Ceremony for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games. The ceremony is scheduled for 24 July 2026 at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium, marking the start of the Games, which will run until 8 August. The article describes the planned show as a large-scale spectacle designed to present the Dominican Republic's history, culture, music, and artistic talent, and to express national pride to a regional and global audience. Zayas is quoted accepting the role as a major responsibility and pledging, with AZ Films Producciones and a professional team, to deliver the largest, most modern, and most emotional ceremony the event has seen in its hundred-year history. Organizing committee president Jose P. Monegro said the appointment begins preparations for a majestic and vibrant opening celebration and invited the public to take part. The piece also summarizes Zayas' background, including decades in audiovisual production and work on major awards shows and large-scale sports ceremonies.

CHCH News covered Waterloo Region being selected to host the 2026 Ontario Summer Games, reporting that the region will receive $1.6 million from the Ontario government to invest in the event. The story says the funding will support Explore Waterloo Region's delivery of the Games in partnership with the Cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge, along with Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo, and private partners. CHCH quotes Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden saying the Games will attract thousands of visitors, drive domestic tourism, boost the economy, and showcase area attractions. According to the report, the event is expected to generate more than $6 million by hosting up to an estimated 4,000 participants, including athletes aged 12 to 18 as well as coaches, managers, and officials. It adds that up to 24 team and individual sports will be represented, listing baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and triathlon as examples. The article also includes a statement from Cambridge MPP Brian Riddell, who said the Games are returning to Waterloo Region next summer for the first time in over two decades and will help showcase Cambridge to visitors from across Ontario.