Portage la Prairie will welcome Manitoba’s best young athletes for the 2028 Manitoba Summer Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, set for July 23 to 29, 2028. Basketball Manitoba will oversee the 16U basketball competition, with male and female divisions included in the Games program. This will focus on athletes born in 2012 with some age adjustments made for some regions to allow for a limited amount of 17U athletes. Portage Collegiate will host the basketball competition over both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Games
Sport Manitoba announced that more than 1,500 athletes, 300 coaches and managers, 100 officials and more than 750 volunteers are expected to take part in seven days of competition. The 2028 Games will feature 11 sports, including basketball, and will bring athletes aged 10 to 17 from across the province together to represent their regions.
“The Manitoba Games are a major opportunity for young basketball players to represent their regions, compete against top athletes from across the province and experience the energy of a multi-sport event,” said Adam Wedlake, Executive Director of Basketball Manitoba. “A 16U competition in Portage la Prairie will give athletes, coaches, officials and families a memorable week, while helping strengthen the basketball community across Manitoba. We look forward to working with Sport Manitoba, the host community and our partners as preparations begin.”
Basketball will be contested in both male and female divisions. A public call for coaches for the 2028 Manitoba Games basketball program is expected to be issued in spring 2027. Further information about athlete eligibility, training opportunities and selection processes will be shared by Basketball Manitoba as it becomes available.
Portage la Prairie last hosted the Manitoba Games in 2010. Since then, the Portage Regional Recreation Authority and local partners have invested in sport infrastructure and developed a strong volunteer base. The Games are expected to bring participants and visitors from across Manitoba to the community, while creating lasting opportunities for local clubs, volunteers and young athletes.
The Manitoba Games are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter editions, and are the province’s largest ongoing multi-sport event. For many participants, the Games are a first major multi-sport experience and an early step on a potential pathway to higher levels of competition, including the Canada Games.
More information about Basketball Manitoba’s 2028 Manitoba Games program will be shared at basketballmanitoba.ca in the coming months.