Sherwood Park is getting ready to welcome more than 2,200 participants from across the province for the 2026 Alberta Summer Games, running July 16 to 19. The four-day event will be the 25th time the Games have been held, and it’s the first time Strathcona County has hosted since 1987.
Athletes aged 11 to 16 from eight zones will compete in 13 sports, including the return of golf and tennis after a 20-year absence. Other sports on the schedule are athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, canoe/kayak, lacrosse, mountain biking, rugby, soccer, softball, and swimming.
Most competitions will happen at recreation facilities around Sherwood Park, with some events also taking place in Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton. The sold-out Opening Ceremonies kick things off July 16 at Emerald Hills Sport Pavilion.
Hosting the Games is a big community effort. More than 1,500 volunteers are needed to help things run smoothly, with shifts ranging from two to four hours. Organizers also expect the event to bring an economic boost of about $1.4 million to the area, based on what recent Games have meant for other host towns.
The provincial government has put roughly $895,000 into the event through operating grants and funding for athlete meals. Pembina Pipeline Corporation is the presenting sponsor. According to Strathcona County, a live Mural Jam will also run throughout the Games at Millennium Place, where five artists will create medium-scale murals around the indoor track.
