Special Olympics Alberta
2027 Winter Games
The 2027 Special Olympics Alberta Provincial Winter Games are set to feature approximately 576 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing in the 8 official winter sports: 5-pin bowling, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Floorball, Snowshoeing, and Speed Skating. The athletes will compete as part of Affiliate and Community Program teams with support from approximately 200 volunteer coaches and mission staff from their home communities.
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The 2027 Special Olympics Alberta Provincial Winter Games will be uniquely historic, marking the first time the Provincial Winter Games will be hosted across four cities rather than a single location. This exciting new format will bring communities together from across the province for an inspiring showcase of competition, sportsmanship, and determination as athletes with intellectual disabilities compete at their highest level.
The Games will proudly feature floorball for the very first time at the provincial level — the newest official sport of Special Olympics Canada — representing an exciting milestone for our movement. Athletes in all sports will also have the opportunity to achieve personal bests and pursue qualification for Team Alberta as they aim for the 2028 Special Olympics Canada National Winter Games.
From breakthrough performances to powerful moments of perseverance, the 2027 SOA Winter Games will be a celebration of ability, achievement, and community.
2027 Provincial Winter Games Sponsors
Provincial Games Eligibility
The provincial games are an exciting opportunity for all athletes. In order to be eligible to compete at Provincial Games, athletes must be a registered member with their local club and be in good standing with Special Olympics Alberta.
Athletes will register for provincial games through their local Special Olympics program. Although some athletes compete and train in many sports, they will only be permitted to register in one sport for Provincial Games. It will be up to the athlete and their affiliate to determine which sport they will wish to compete in.
For an athlete to be eligible for provincial games they must meet the following criteria:
Be thirteen (13) years of age as of January 1 of that games year;
Is registered with Special Olympics Alberta and a member in good standing within the community;
Is a member of an accredited Special Olympics Alberta Affiliate or Community Program;
Have appropriate maturation based upon the following:
Ability to cope with pressures involved in traveling and competition
Ability to cope with being out of usual environment
Have competed in a qualifying competition preceding the Provincial Championships/Games in that particular sport; and
Have actively participated in a Special Olympics Alberta program, in that sport, for one (1) full program year prior to Provincial Games.
Athlete Single Sport Competition
Majority of Special Olympics Alberta athletes are multisport athletes.
Provincial, National, and International competitions are single sport competitions, which means that athletes can only be selected for one sport at those levels. Athletes have the authority to choose which sport they wish to compete in starting at the local and provincial level.