Arctic Winter Games

The Arctic Winter Games are a high-profile Circumpolar sport competition for northern and arctic participants. The first Games were held in Yellowknife in 1970, with 500 participants from Yukon, NWT and Alaska.

Participants now come from Alaska, Northern Alberta, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik, Northwest Territories, Greenland, Finland and Norway.

Designed to celebrate the unique sports and cultural heritage of the Arctic, this gathering showcases a diverse range of competitions, traditional sports, and cultural events. With a strong emphasis on fostering friendship, cultural exchange, and athletic excellence, the Arctic Winter Games has become a platform for showcasing the talents and traditions of northern communities.

At the Arctic Winter Games, NWT Soccer competes in the sport of Futsal. The Futsal competition is held in four age/sex classes - two girls’ classes (U16, U18) and two boys’ classes (U16, U18). Teams consist of nine athletes and two coaches. One gold ulu is awarded in each age class. Teams that regularly participate in Futsal include Alaska, Yukon, Alberta North, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Sapmi.