Two Candidates Apply to Host Inaugural FIS Games
7th November 2023
Last modified on November 11th, 2023
The first event is due to take place in 2028 with St. Moritz/Engadine in Switzerland and Lillehammer/Hafjell in Norway throwing their hats into the ring.
The FIS Games will see multiple FIS disciplines being staged during a 16-day period in the same region as a highlight event during the non-Olympic and non-World Championship season.
The aim of the FIS Games is to feature the current Olympic disciplines:
- Alpine skiing
- Cross-country skiing
- Freestyle skiing
- Ski jumping
- Snowboarding
With the additional opportunity to highlight select non-Olympic disciplines:
- Telemark
- Speed Skiing
- Freeride
We reported on the plans earlier on PlanetSKI:
Ultimately, the event programme will be determined based on the individual bid from the candidates.
“We are thrilled with the strong interest to hold this first-time event,” said FIS Secretary General, Michel Vion.
“Both regions are well-known hosts of top-level FIS events and bring a wealth of experience and a rich heritage of snow sports.
“They also have wide array of facilities which meets the needs of the FIS Games to showcase the entire line-up of FIS disciplines and offer an exhilarating time for athletes and fans.”
The Engadine region in Switzerland boasts some of the most iconic resorts in Switzerland, which have a rich tradition of hosting winter sports events.
Most recently, St. Moritz hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship in 2017 and the region is gearing up to host the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championship in 2025.
Lillehammer (NOR) is one of the top winter destinations in Scandinavia and has also played host to a wide array of top-level FIS events.
Lillehammer brings specific experience with multi-discipline events, having hosted the Youth Olympic Games in 2016 and naturally the unforgettable Olympic Winter Games in 1994.
FIS logo © International Ski Federation
“I have long believed that FIS is ideally positioned to hold a showcase event like the FIS Games as we have such an amazing variety of sports and disciplines to present to the world,” said FIS President, Johan Eliasch.
“For 16 days, our athletes will be the focal point of the sporting world – I can think of no better opportunity to promote skiing and snowboarding and lead the way on inclusivity, projecting an inspiring message about the positive impact that our sport can have.”
The Next Steps:
- The applicants have provided in their official application a first outline of their candidacy concept, including the available venues and potential event program.
- The FIS Evaluation Group will review the questionnaire, providing feedback to the candidates and stay in a dialogue phase with the potential hosts to finalize the project that needs to submit them by 31 March 2024.
- The Evaluation Group will suggest the most suitable host of the FIS Games 2028 to the FIS Council, which will announce the host at the FIS Congress on 4th June 2024.
- Unlike the FIS World Championships, which is appointed by the FIS Council, the FIS Games will be proposed by the Evaluation Group, which is comprised of FIS professionals across all areas of the organization, including sports, marketing, communication and sustainability, to name a few.
