04.11.2026
Demand exceeds expectations for Winter World Masters Games 2028
Registration for the Winter World Masters Games 2028 has started off strongly. More than 900 masters athletes signed up within the first hours, around 23 per cent of the event’s target. Figure skating is already practically sold out. The full competition programme has now been published, and the ten-day Games will take place in Lahti, Heinola and Levi from 14 to 23 January 2028.
Registration opened on Monday 2 November for the almost 3,000 athletes who had pre-registered. Most of them were interested in figure skating, and one in six said they were interested in more than one sport. That is how the masters concept is meant to work: athletes can add other sports from the ten-day programme to their main sport. At the 2028 Games, one entry fee covers up to three sports, with several events to choose from within each sport.
The programme across three host cities and several venues is now complete, and registration opened more than a year before the Games.
“The ambitious ten-day programme in 14 different sports is now complete. The overall programme responds to the demand for winter sports and also highlights local, Finnish sports. Cooperation with the three locations already began while the programme was being built, and we believe the schedule will work well for all participants,” says Tomi-Pekka Kolu, CEO of Salppuri Oy, the organiser of the Games.
Salppuri Oy is organising the Games in cooperation with the City of Lahti, the City of Heinola and Levi in Kittilä.
Figure skating and biathlon lead the way – athletes from 41 countries
Figure skating drew the most interest in the first 18 hours. More than 600 athletes, 66 per cent of all registrants, chose the sport, and athletes are already on a waiting list. Biathlon is the second most popular sport with 123 participants, and around 20 teams have entered synchronised skating. After the first day, cross-country skiing and winter trail running were also among the five most popular sports.
The first day of registration confirms that the Games will be truly international, with athletes from 41 countries. Europeans make up 46 per cent of participants, but the largest single country is Canada with 240 athletes, followed by the United States and Australia. The largest age group is 55–64, with 27 per cent of registrants.
“The opening of registration was excellent. Adult athletes are enthusiastic and travel even from far away to the championship competitions of their own sport. In addition, according to advance information, they stay for a long time and are happy to meet fellow competitors at community events,” says Kolu.
Ten days, 14 sports and 48 medal events
The Games open on 14 January 2028, and 4,000 participants are expected. Competitions will be held at ten venues across five event areas.
Lahti is the centre of the Games, with competitions at the Lahti Sports Centre, Wemasto Areena, RTK Areena and Kisapuisto. Ice hockey will be played in Vierumäki and Heinola, and Heinola will also host winter disc golf. Pajulahti will host curling and the winter swimming championships. Alpine skiing will take place in Levi.
For Lahti, the Games are part of a busy run of international events leading up to the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2029.
General registration opens on 9 November 2026
Registration opens to everyone else on Monday, 9 November 2026. Anyone aged 30 or over can take part. No licence or club membership is needed; registering is all it takes. The full programme is available at masters2028.com/programme
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Source: WWMG2028 press release, 4 November 2026, www.masters2028.com
The Winter World Masters Games (WWMG) is the world’s largest winter multi-sport event for masters athletes and active people aged over 30. The Games are open to all levels, from recreational participants to competitive athletes and former elite athletes. In 2028, the Games will be held in Lahti, Heinola and Levi, with around 4,000 athletes expected. The Games are organised by Salppuri Oy and awarded by the international masters organisation World Masters Sport (WMS).