RMWB bidding on hosting Alberta Summer Games in 2026

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has signed a letter of intent to bid on hosting the Alberta Summer Games in 2026.If Fort McMurray is selected as the host community, about 2,000 to 2,500 coaches, chaperones, officials and athletes will compete in 10 to 14 sporting events.

The host city is responsible for funding the games, although $420,000 is provided by the province. The municipality’s Parks department has a $20,000 budget to bid on multisport games. Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism (FMWBEDT) predicts that games of this size would net $3.6 million for the local economy and support 1,482 jobs.

The successful community will be officially announced in November 2023 by the Minister of Culture.

A committee will be created to pitch hosting the event to Alberta Games. Potential host communities have until June 30 to tell Alberta Games if they are interesting. A bid must be submitted by Aug. 31. The host community will be announced in November.

The RMWB hosted the Alberta Winter Games in 2018.