The Canada Games Council (CGC) is aware of the announcement from the Government of Yukon indicating that they will be withdrawing from hosting the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

The Territory was bidding in conjunction with the City of Whitehorse, and has made the decision to no longer pursue its bid to host the Games because they were unable to secure additional federal funding for their scoped infrastructure costs associated with proposed new developments.

“We are extremely disappointed to learn the joint Yukon and City of Whitehorse bid for the Games will not proceed,” said Canada Games President and CEO, Kelly-Ann Paul. “Hosting the Canada Games has demonstrated proven economic, community-building, and sport benefits, Games after Games. The investment in any Canada Games has regularly delivered an economic impact of greater than $100 million, leaves significant legacies in sport facilities for future generations, and provides the opportunity for youth to shine in their athletic pursuits as the nation unites through the power of sport.”

As per the hosting rotation of the Canada Games, Yukon was the next to host, after St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2025. Yukon Territory put forward a single joint bid with the City of Whitehorse to bring the Canada Games back to the North. Whitehorse was the only city in the territory with the capacity to host the Canada Winter Games.

“We appreciate all of the time and effort that went into putting together the bid to host the 2027 Canada Winter Games by the City of Whitehorse, the Yukon, First Nations and leadership volunteers, including Bid Committee Chair Piers McDonald,” said Paul. “We regret that Canada's best young athletes won't have the opportunity to experience Canada's North in 2027.”

Next steps in securing the next Host Community for the 2027 Games will include returning to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to identify a new host jurisdiction. The CGC will work through an expedited bid evaluation process to ensure a new Host Community is in place in time to host a successful 2027 Canada Winter Games.