Celebrating 50 Years: Kamloops and Penticton to Host 2028 BC Winter and Summer Games

The BC Games Society has announced a significant milestone as they prepare to celebrate 50 years of competition in 2028, with the iconic host communities of Kamloops and Penticton named for the hosting duties of the 2028 BC Winter and Summer Games.

These two communities played pivotal roles in shaping the history of the BC Games and were chosen to host through a sole bid process. Kamloops will be the host of the BC Winter Games set for February 2028 on Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc territory within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation.

The event will mark the fourth time Kamloops has hosted the BC Games, having previously hosted the 1979 BC Winter Games, 2006 BC Summer Games, and 2018 BC Winter Games. The bid for the 2028 BC Winter Games received support from various entities including the City of Kamloops and Kamloops-Thompson School District No. 73 with Sun Peaks Resort backing up as the main venue for snow events.

On the other hand, Penticton will host the BC Summer Games in July 2028, an event that holds special significance as Penticton was the site of the inaugural BC Summer Games in 1978. This city has a history of hosting various games including the 1990 BC Winter Games, 1995 BC Summer Games, and 2016 BC Winter Games. The 2028 BC Summer Games are supported by key stakeholders such as the City of Penticton, School District No. 67, and the Penticton Indian Band.

Both Kamloops and Penticton are known for their rich sporting culture, with Kamloops earning the title of Canada’s Tournament Capital and Penticton being recognized as one of Canada’s top wine regions and tourist destinations. The selection of these host communities emphasizes the BC Games Society’s commitment to celebrating sport and community, while also fostering athlete and sport development across the province.

The BC Games Society, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports, plays a vital role in organizing and funding the BC Winter and Summer Games, as well as supporting Team BC at the Canada Games. The announcement of Kamloops and Penticton as hosts for the 2028 Games sets the stage for an extraordinary celebration of 50 years of athletic excellence and community engagement in British Columbia.