Everything you need to know as a participant, supporter, or media member to improve your BC Games experience
We know that the multi-sport experience is unique and can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together answers for some of our most frequently asked questions. Toggle our list of FAQs below by audience using the filters at the top to learn more about the BC Games.
Didn’t find an answer to your question below? Use the Guide to the Games menu on this page to access more information on topics like accommodation, food, transportation, and more, or contact us.
How are sports chosen for the BC Winter and BC Summer Games?
The BC Games Society’s Core Sport Policy outlines how sports are included in the BC Winter and BC Summer Games. It ensures the Games continue to reflect the BC Games Society’s commitment to athlete development, responsible sport delivery, and meaningful participation opportunities across British Columbia.
What age are the athletes who attend the Games?
Ages for the BC Games vary from sport to sport. In general, the minimum age of athletes competing at the Games is 13. Generally, coaches are expected to be 19 or older in order to act in a supervisory capacity with their athletes. Review the technical package for the respective sport for specific information.
How are communities picked to host the Games?
Communities are awarded the BC Games through a bidding process that occurs before each cycle.
When a community is awarded the Games, a nominations committee, led by the local mayor, identifies community leaders to form the Board of Directors. The Board for each BC Winter and BC Summer Games then forms its own Society.
How often do the BC Winter and BC Summer Games take place?
The BC Winter and BC Summer Games take place every two years (“biennially”) in the same year.
Where can I find lists of past and current participants in the Games?
To find lists of athletes and results from past Games, visit our Results and Participant Lists page.
How can I follow along with the BC Games from afar?
Keep up with everything BC Games on our website and social media accounts:
- BC Games Society (@bcgamessociety)
- BC Winter Games (@bcwintergames.ca)
- BC Summer Games (@bcsummergames.ca)
Who are some of the notable alumni to have attended the Games?
We are proud to have a long tradition of BC Games alumni representing Canada and other countries on the world stage, including at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For many of BC’s top athletes, the BC Games was their first multi-sport Games experience.
When were the first BC Winter and BC Summer Games hosted?
The first BC Summer Games was hosted in Penticton in 1978, while the first BC Winter Games was held the following year in Kamloops.
How do I qualify for the BC Games?
The qualification process to attend the BC Games varies from sport-to-sport.
Generally qualification events for the Games are held beginning 6 months prior to the Games up to about 5 or 6 weeks prior to the Games, depending on the sport. Qualifications for the Games are coordinated by the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) and managed by the organization or the Zone Representatives.
Can I attend both the BC Winter and BC Summer Games?
In most cases, athletes are able to attend both the BC Winter Games and the BC Summer Games if they are participating (a) in a different sport or (b) in a different capacity (i.e. official or coach), provided that this is permitted by their technical package.
Where will I stay when I’m at the Games?
In order for participants to have a place to stay in all communities, host societies work hard with school districts to secure lodgings in local schools, where participants stay together with their teammates or members of their sport.
Where do coaches stay at the Games?
All athletes, coaches, and adult supervisors participating in the BC Games are required to stay in designated BC Games accommodation. This ensures a consistent Games experience for all participants, including access to meals, transportation, and supervision.
Are coaches required to use Games transportation?
Every athlete must be supervised by an accredited adult (Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or Adult Supervisor) from the time they board a bus/flight until the time they arrive at their destination. Coaches are encouraged to travel with their teams wherever possible to assist with supervision, but are not required to use Games transportation.
Do officials have to stay in Games accommodation?
Officials are not required to stay in BC Games accommodation, unless they are under the age of 19 as of the first day of the Games. Officials should contact their Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) for further information on accommodation arrangements.
Can officials use Games transportation?
All registered participants (including officials), except for those who reside in the immediate vicinity of the host community, are provided with the opportunity to travel to the Games on flights or buses chartered by the BC Games Society.
How do I qualify to officiate at the Games?
Officials are selected by Provincial or Disability Sport Organizations. Qualification standards and processes vary from sport-to-sport. Contact your sport organization for more details.
How do I qualify to officiate at the Games?
Officials are selected by Provincial or Disability Sport Organizations. Qualification standards and processes vary from sport-to-sport. Contact your sport organization for more details.
Will there be livestreams for the Opening Ceremony and/or sports?
Livestream availability depends on the capacity of host communities. If livestreams will be provided, information about how to access them will be shared on the BC Winter Games or BC Summer Games pages closer to the Games.
My child qualified for the Games; where do I find out everything I need to know?
Visit our Guide to the Games section for information about what to expect at the Games and stay tuned to the BC Winter Games and BC Summer Games pages for more details.
Is there a fee for participants attending the BC Games?
The $175 athlete registration fee covers the cost of travel to/from, and at the Games, meals, accommodation, your competition, special events, and entertainment. Some sports may charge an additional fee for qualification events, training, sport operational costs, zone apparel, or uniforms.
Do I need to purchase tickets to watch events at the Games?
Sport venues are open to the public and do not require tickets. All competitions are free of charge.
The Opening Ceremony on Thursday is also open to the public and free of charge; however, seating may be limited and a ticketing process may be implemented. Visit the Games page closer to the Games (BC Summer Games | BC Winter Games).
Access to the participant special events, the food venue, Games transportation, accommodation sites, and Closing Celebration is limited to Games participants only and Games accreditation is required for access.
How do I ensure that my child’s dietary or medical needs are met at the Games?
If your child has an allergy or special dietary needs for medical/health reasons, it is important that the Medical/Allergy form is completed prior to the Games. The Medical/Allergy Form will be completed through the BC GAMES PARTICIPANT WEBSITE.
Can my child stay with me outside of accommodation?
All athletes, coaches, and adult supervisors participating in the BC Games are required to stay in designated BC Games accommodation. This ensures a consistent Games experience for all participants, including access to meals, transportation, and supervision.
Exemptions for athletes or coaches to stay outside of BC Games accommodation may be granted for legitimate medical reasons. However, these exemptions are regulated and must be approved in advance to ensure the integrity of the accommodation model. Contact your Provincial Advisor for further information.
How can I register to volunteer at the Games?
In the months before each BC Games, a call is put out in the community and online for volunteers. Local volunteers register online and are able to select the areas that they would be interested in helping with. Once registered, volunteers will be assigned a Directorate and a host society volunteer will reach out with more information.
Stay tuned to the BC Winter Games and BC Summer Games pages for more details or to register for the Games.
What type of volunteer roles are available?
Host community volunteers are involved in every aspect of Games planning, assisting in areas from accommodation to food preparation and access control. Up to 3000 volunteers are needed to plan and stage the BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
What are the benefits of volunteering at the BC Games?
The Games serve a dual purposes: a multi-sport experience and development opportunity for participants, and a unique development opportunity for communities and individuals around the province. Volunteering at the BC Games presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make new friends, gain new experiences, enhance existing skills, and give back to their community in a way that enhances community pride.
I signed up to volunteer but haven’t been contacted yet; what should I do?
Once registered, volunteers will be assigned a Directorate and a host society volunteer will reach out with more information. These volunteers work hard to ensure swift and clear communication but may face reduced capacity closer to the Games, so please be patient.
When will a list of participants by community be available to media?
A full list of participants and communities is published to the website and via news release two weeks prior to each BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
Who can I contact to set up interviews with participants or volunteers?
Our Marketing and Communications team can help set up interviews or provide more details about upcoming Games.
Do I need permission to use photos from the BC Games Society in my publication?
Our photography is free for publications to use with credit, displayed in the following format: Photographer/BC Games Society). If you are having trouble finding a specific photo or which photographer to credit, contact us.