The Town of Amherst will host the Nova Scotia 55+ Games in the fall of 2027, bringing hundreds of athletes and spectators to the community for a celebration of active living. The announcement was officially made on April 27, 2026, marking the first time the event will take place in the area.
Mayor Rob Small said the Town of Amherst is proud to welcome the games. He noted the event is an opportunity to highlight local amenities and encourage healthy, active lifestyles for adults aged 55 and older.
The Nova Scotia 55+ Games Society selected Amherst based on the town’s existing recreation infrastructure, including the YMCA of Cumberland, as well as its dedicated volunteer network. Maurice Poirier, a representative of the society, described the town as an ideal host for the competition.
The games feature 16 core activities such as swimming, track and field, curling, golf, tennis, and pickleball, along with card games like bridge and cribbage. Local planners, including Amherst’s Active Living Coordinator and representatives from the YMCA, are already working with the provincial society to organize the event.
Participation in the provincial games has grown significantly over the last two decades, increasing from 154 athletes in 2005 to a record-setting 850 participants in 2025. Similar events in other regions have generated more than $500,000 in economic spinoffs for their host communities. Terry Gilroy, who has served as an Amherst representative on the provincial games board since 2014, will help lead local preparations.
