History
Learn about the history of our province’s premier multi-sport event and its legendary lasting legacies.
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Winter
Québec 2027
Join us in St. John's, Newfoundland, from August 8 to 25, 2025! Here’s a comprehensive guide to help all Team Manitoba participants make the most of their experience.
Summer
St. John’s 2025
Find detailed information about the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Winter
PEI 2023
Find detailed information about the 2023 Canada Winter Games in PEI.
Summer
Niagara 2022
Find detailed information about the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ontario.
Winter
Red Deer 2019
Find detailed information about the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.
Summer
Winnipeg 2017
Find detailed information about the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
2026 Manitoba Games
Join us in Thompson, Manitoba, from March 1 to 7, 2026!
Future Games
We are currently in the bid process searching for the host of the 2028 Manitoba Summer Games powered by Manitoba Hydro. Here’s all your community needs to know about bidding to host the Games.
Manitoba Games History
Connecting our province in sport since 1972

In 1972 the Provincial Government approved the initiation of a Provincial Games Development Program, which would give rural Manitoba an equal opportunity to participate in amateur sport.

The first province-wide Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro were held in Winnipeg in late December as part of the city’s 1974 Centennial Celebration. These Games were used to identify and select Manitoba’s 1975 Canada Winter Games teams. Neepawa was chosen to host the 1976 Manitoba Summer Games and the 1978 Manitoba Winter Games were held in Dauphin. After a hiatus, the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro program was reinstituted in 1986 and has been held every two years since.

The Manitoba Games aren’t possible without our title sponsor, Manitoba Hydro, presenting sponsors Calm Air, Manitoba’s Credit Unions, Konica Minolta, Travel Manitoba, and GEMS.pro by KIMIK iT. With their support, we can continue to unite communities, inspire the next generation, and build a healthier Manitoba.

Legendary Legacies
Lasting impact of hosting the Games

When the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro are in town, the energy in the community skyrockets.

While the excitement comes to a peak during the Games, the impact of hosting is felt beyond the event itself, in the years leading up to and following the Games.

Sport Showcase

The Games bring high-level, multi-sport competition to the heart of the community, inspiring young athletes and introducing them to new sports. Seeing athletes their age, or just a few years older, compete at a high level can be a powerful source of inspiration. The Games can introduce kids to sports they may not have experienced before, sparking new interests and expanding their view of what’s possible in sport. These moments help foster a strong, long-term sport culture in host communities—one that promotes physical activity, goal setting, and a sense of belonging for years to come.

Physical Legacies
Dauphin, Manitoba: 2004 and 2024

Updated baseball diamonds, soccer venues, a new running track, new rugby pitch, and signature legacy, Northgate trails: 26 km of mountain bike trail spread out over 720 acres.

Thompson, Manitoba: 1994, 2018 and future host in 2026

Updates to bleachers and arenas, shower and change room improvements in schools, major investments in the Norplex pool.

Sense of Community & Volunteerism

Hosting the Games requires hundreds of dedicated volunteers, providing valuable training and leadership experience. Communities often report increased civic pride and stronger community bonds, as seen in places like Steinbach (2016), where the legacy of volunteerism and collaboration continues to thrive years after the Games.

Host Communities
Legacies in all corners of our province

The Manitoba Games have helped shape our province’s athletic history and continue to act as a beacon of excellence for young athletes from all corners of the province looking to pursue competitive sport. We would like to extend a warm thank you to all the communities who’ve hosted the games in the past, and we hope to work together in the future to further develop sport in Manitoba.

1986 Winter - Flin Flon

1988 Summer - Beausejour/Pinawa

1990 Winter - Carman

1992 Summer - Minnedosa/Neepawa

1994 Winter - Thompson

1996 Summer - Morden

1998 Winter - Gimli

2000 Summer - Virden

2002 Winter - The Pas/OCN

2004 Summer - Dauphin

2006 Winter - Beausejour

2008 Summer - Carman

2010 Winter - Portage la Prairie

2012 Summer - Swan Valley

2014 Winter - Morden, Stanley, Winkler

2016 Summer - Steinbach

2018 Winter - Thompson

2024 Summer - Dauphin

2026 Winter - Thompson

Future host societies can bid to host the Games. Learn more about the benefits for your community by reviewing our hosting guide, or contact games@sportmanitoba.ca for more information.

Sponsors
Territorial Acknowledgement
Sport Manitoba acknowledges the work we do to support a thriving amateur sport community takes place on the traditional lands and waterways of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota Oyate, and Denesuline, as well as the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We respect the spirit and intent of the treaties made here and are grateful to work, live, and play on this land, while working toward advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action 87-91.