If you’ve ever thought: “Could our town be the next host for the largest multi-sport event in our province?” — the answer is a resounding YES! 

The 2028 Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro is coming, and your community has a unique opportunity to step up and shine. Here’s what you need to know.

‍

Why Host the Manitoba Games?

📈Boost your local economy

When your community hosts, visitors spend money on hotels, restaurants, and local shops. Past Games have generated over $1.5–2.5 million in local economic activity.

Hosting means mobilizing hundreds of volunteers, training them, coordinating logistics, and upgrading facilities. New and upgraded facilities often continue to bring in events and visitors for years.

‍

🙌Build community pride

Hosting the Games brings people together. Residents volunteer, local businesses get involved, and everyone works toward a shared goal. It builds pride and excitement that lasts well beyond the event.

‍

💙Leave a lasting legacy

The Games often lead to new or improved sports facilities, better volunteer networks, and stronger local partnerships. These benefits stick around long after the final medal is awarded.

‍

Why Partnering with a Neighbouring Community Works

If your community doesn’t have every facility or enough accommodations, you can team up with a nearby town. We welcome joint bids, and past hosts have shared responsibilities successfully.

Working together means you can:

• Combine facilities and resources
  ‍
• Share costs and volunteer capacity
  ‍
• Spread the benefits across your region
  ‍
• Strengthen regional partnerships for future events
  ‍

‍

‍What It Takes to Host

You don’t need to have everything figured out, but it helps to have a community that’s willing to plan and collaborate. Here’s what you need:

• Facilities and venues: For hosting a variety of summer sports in one week.
  ‍
• Accommodations: Places for athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators to stay.
  ‍
• Volunteers: Hundreds of volunteers help the Games run smoothly.
  ‍
• Community support: Approval and involvement from local government and the school division.
  ‍
• Transportation: A plan for moving participants between venues, meals, and events.

‍

How the Bidding Process Works

Hosting happens in stages, with lots of support along the way:

1. Submit a letter of intent – Let Sport Manitoba know your community is interested.
   ‍
2. Technical review – Share details about your facilities, accommodations, and services.
   ‍
3. Comprehensive bid – Present your full plan, including how your community will benefit and what your legacy will be.
   ‍

It's Time To Get Started‍

• Talk to your local council and school division about interest in hosting.
  ‍
• Assess your assets: What facilities, accommodations, and volunteers do you have?
  ‍
• Connect with nearby communities to see if a joint bid makes sense.
  ‍
• Start shaping your vision: How could hosting the Games help your community grow?

‍

Attend our virtual hosting information session:

Wednesday, November 19

1 - 3 p.m.

‍Register here

Hear from Sport Manitoba's Games staff, ask questions, and learn all you need to know about hosting the Games. 

‍

Hosting the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro is an opportunity to celebrate sport, strengthen your community, and boost your local economy. Whether you host alone or share the responsibility with a neighbouring community, you can play a major role in shaping the future of amateur sport in Manitoba.

‍

Learn more about hosting opportunities, standards, and requirements at: mbgames.ca/host-the-games 

‍