Barents Summer Games Oulu

Barents Sports is a cross‑border initiative uniting young people aged 15–25 from Norway, Sweden and Finland. Its mission is to bring youth together through sport and break political, cultural and social barriers. Oulu will host the Barents Summer Games on 21–23 August 2026, welcoming around 800 young athletes and their teams.

Organized by regional sport organisation of Northern Ostrobothnia (PoPLi) with local sport clubs, the event embraces the theme “Get Together” across 12 sports. Preparing for the weekend gives sport clubs a valuable opportunity to strengthen their skills in organizing an international multi‑sport event and to build new cooperation networks across the Barents region.

All competitions and side events are free and open for spectators, including an open opening ceremony, On PoP Liikkua goes Barents sport try‑outs and On PoP Liikkua goes Barents with family -whole family sport event.

The Opening Ceremony of the Competition Weekend kicks things off on Friday evening, the 21st of August, with a vibrant, open‑to‑all celebration at Rotuaari from 20:00 to 21:00. The programme brings together movement and culture. It’s the moment when the city comes alive and the event spirit truly begins.

A festive start, shared energy and a chance to grow — the perfect way to launch an unforgettable competition weekend.

In all our programs we follow safer place principles to ensure welcome and safe environment to everyone. Get to know safer place principles: