14.01.2026
Two years to the opening of a major winter sports event – WWMG2028 Lahti, Levi and Heinola unveil the sports and venue programme
The Winter World Masters Games is the world’s largest winter multi-sport event and will be held for the next, and fifth, time in Finland from 14 to 23 January 2028. There will be three host cities: Lahti, Levi and Heinola, which will host 12 different winter sports and a total of 4,000 athletes from 70 countries.
The Masters Games is a multi-sport competition intended for athletes and recreational participants of all levels aged over 30. Its core philosophy, “Sport For Life”, is strongly upheld by the international governing body, the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), and its community. The event, experiences and participation are considered more important than medal positions.
The President of the umbrella organisation, pole vaulting legend Sergii Bubka, is confident that Finland will deliver a successful and unforgettable experience for athletes as a result of an experienced organisation and strong cooperation.
“We are confident that the Winter World Masters Games 2028 will be delivered successfully. This is a unique and special event. We know that the organisers are investing a great deal of expertise, energy and experience to make the event a success,” Bubka says in his video greeting.
Prior to Finland’s fifth Winter Games, the host locations have been Lombardy, Italy (2024), Innsbruck, Austria (2020), Quebec, Canada (2015) and Bled, Slovenia (2010).
Three host cities, 12 sports – a target of 4,000 athletes from 70 countries
The sports programme of the Winter World Masters Games is diverse, offering not only traditional snow, skiing and ice sports, but also newer, experience-driven disciplines. In addition to the wide-ranging sports selection, the Finnish edition of the event is made unique by the cooperation between the three host cities of Lahti, Levi and Heinola.
In January 2028, alpine skiing events – slalom and giant slalom – will be contested in Levi, Kittilä. In Heinola, the ice hockey tournament will be played at the Heinola Ice Hall and in Vierumäki. In addition, winter disc golf will be held in Heinola on the world-famous Kippasuo course.
Lahti will host cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping and Nordic combined at the Lahti Sports Centre, the heart of Finnish winter sports. In addition, winter trail running will take place on the Salpausselkä trails.
Among ice sports, curling, figure skating, synchronized skating and short track speed skating will be held in Lahti’s ice arenas – Wemasto Arena, RTK Arena and Pajulahti Ice Hall. Long-track speed skating competitions will be staged on the outdoor ice rink at Kisapuisto in Lahti. Winter swimming, which will be included in the Winter World Masters Games programme for the first time, will be held on the Pajulahti Lake Pool competition course.
“Although the event is organised across three different locations, we are building a Masters Hub in Lahti, where all participants will feel part of one shared community. And with the exception of Levi, all competition venues are located very close to each other. We are utilising existing indoor and outdoor sports facilities as well as the excellent event infrastructure of the Sports Centre,” says Tomi-Pekka Kolu, CEO of Salppuri Oy, the event’s organising company.
For the first time in the history of the Winter World Masters Games, winter disc golf and winter swimming are included in the programme. This is made possible by the inclusion of optional local sports in the event programme. In addition to these, winter trail running was selected due to growing interest and the outstanding natural environment of the Salpausselkä area.
“In addition to the so-called mandatory sports, we mapped disciplines in which we are particularly strong and which reflect the diverse culture of winter sports, while being suitable for everyone and creating new participant potential. In winter trail running, winter swimming and winter disc golf, key natural elements of the Lahti region, forest and water, come together,” Kolu continues.
Experiences, sustainability and length of stay as the foundation of the event’s impact
Masters competitions have been successfully organised in Finland before, but for Lahti the event is new, while also opening a new perspective on winter sports events through the masters age group. Major events for youth and elite athletes have been organised for decades.
The community of adult athletes, masters athletes, is in many sports an active and close-knit group. Athletes’ length of stay at the event is long, averaging six days, and in addition to competing, participants wish to experience local attractions and activities. The event strengthens regional vitality and creates demand for tourism services. At the same time, a new sports culture is being built that encourages adults to be physically active with different goals, whether competitive or related to personal wellbeing.
“The regional economic impact of the event is estimated to exceed six million euros. The social impacts, in terms of increasing physical activity among the adult population, are also significant. The aim of this event is to generate growth in event activities across different sports and to encourage masters athletes to return to Finland in the coming years, both to compete and to travel,” says Milla Bruneau, Chair of the WWMG2028 Organising Committee and First Vice Chair of the City Board.
From Wednesday, 14 January 2026, the countdown towards the 2028 event begins. The event website and pre-registration will open at www.masters2028.com. In addition, social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn will be available under the handle @wwmg2028finland in the coming days.
The event’s visual identity has been launched. “Nothing Stops Us – Mikään ei pysäytä meitä” serves as the slogan of the Winter World Masters Games 2028. In addition to the wordmark, the recurring infinity symbol in the visual identity represents the event’s ideology and its participants as a constantly moving community striving towards its goals. It also visualises the number 8 in reference to the event year. The colour palette combines snow, ice, energy and passion.
The event’s first athlete ambassador is, fittingly, Lahti-based ski jumping legend Janne Ahonen. In his video greeting, Ahonen challenges everyone to join the event.
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Source: WWMG2028 press release, 13 January 2026
The Winter World Masters Games (WWMG) is the world’s largest winter multi-sport event for athletes aged over 30. The Games are open to everyone, from recreational sports enthusiasts and first-time participants to active competitors and former elite athletes. At the heart of participation are self-challenge, experiences, wellbeing and community.
WWMG2028 will be held uniquely across three of Finland’s premier winter destinations: Lahti, Levi and Heinola. WWMG2028 will bring together 4,000 athletes across 12 winter sports, offering a high-quality, experiential and memorable event – one that will bring Masters athletes back to Finland.
Further information
CEO Tomi-Pekka Kolu
Salppuri Oy – lead event organiser
tomi-pekka.kolu@lahtiskigames.com
+358 400 818 611
Any additional interview requests (domestic and international) by email to: media@lahtiskigames.com