The First-Ever Barents Games in Finnmark
In just a few weeks, from March 28th to 30th, Barents Winter Games Alta 2025 will kick off — the first ever to be held in Finnmark.
Lisell D. Bang
Deputy Chair of Finnmark Sports Federation and Deputy Chair of Barents Sports Committee Norway
Barents Games is an international sports event featuring 30 different sports, ten of which will meet at the Barents Winter Games in Alta, including three para-sports. During the Barents Games, the best athletes from Northern Norway, Northern Sweden, and Northern Finland, aged 15 to 25, will compete. These athletes have trained hard and with dedication, and now they compete proudly, bearing their nation’s flag.
The Social Impact of Sports Events
A sports event benefits more than just the participants — it also creates ripple effects throughout the surrounding community. In Finnmark, we have many small communities, and we know how vulnerable they can be. To create a thriving community, we need more than just a place to live and a job to go to — we need activities that bring people together, events to look forward to, and opportunities to enhance well-being and a sense of belonging. In this sense, events like ski competitions, football matches, and swimming meets play an essential role.
Barents Winter Games Comes to Alta
Now it’s time for Barents Winter Games Alta 2025 — a sports event of a larger scale. This doesn’t come without effort. The visiting teams need accommodation, equipment must be purchased, athletes and support staff require transport, everyone needs to eat, and many visitors will likely stop by local shops. All of this contributes directly to the local and regional economy, bringing tangible financial benefits to businesses in the area.
Barents Winter Games 2023, Bodø/Narvik
Alta has a strong tourism industry and is increasingly emerging as a popular travel destination. Large events like this also serve as a draw and a marketing opportunity for both Alta and Finnmark.
Population numbers in Finnmark are declining — a phenomenon also familiar in Northern Sweden and Northern Finland. We see this reflected in sports, where many talented athletes move south to take advantage of better opportunities there. These individuals are often young — precisely the group we need to retain in Finnmark. Building strong elite sports opportunities in the North is crucial, and Barents Games is a valuable contribution to this effort. No one should have to move south to pursue their dreams — we need these opportunities here in the North.
Some might argue that grassroots sports are more important than elite sports. It’s essential, however, to see the bigger picture, where elite and grassroots sports are interconnected. Elite athletes emerge from grassroots programs, and their success inspires and shows younger athletes the possibilities within their own reach. Norwegian sports' vision is "Sports Joy for All." Everyone in sports should have the opportunity to experience joy — for many, this includes personal development and competing at the highest level. Supporting both grassroots and elite athletes is vital.
A sports event lasts only a few days, but its impact can stimulate the growth of both new and existing sports activities. In preparation for Barents Winter Games Alta 2025, we’ve sought people willing to help organize events in sports like badminton and table tennis — sports not yet established in Alta. As a direct result, a new badminton club and a table tennis group within an existing sports association have been created. This expansion of activities will continue beyond the event, offering a broader selection of sports for the community.
Proud Hosts
Extensive planning and hard work from many dedicated individuals have gone into preparing for Barents Winter Games Alta 2025. With just a few weeks to go before we welcome up to 750 athletes, leaders, coaches, and referees, it’s easy to feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement. Through sports, we will form friendships across national borders. We are ready, proud, and delighted to host this event alongside our partners — the sports clubs in Alta, Alta Municipality, and Finnmark County. Together, we’ll show that Alta and Finnmark are more than capable of hosting large-scale sports events like the Barents Games.
We also want to extend our gratitude to the Barents Secretariat, Samfunnsløftet and other partners in Alta.
All sports venues will be open to the public free of charge — this is something you won’t want to miss!
Lisell D. Bang
Deputy Chair, Finnmark Sports Federation
Deputy Chair, Barents Sports Committee Norway
www.barentssports.com
This article was also posted in iFinnmark 07.03.2025
“A sports event lasts only a few days, but its impact can stimulate the growth of both new and existing sports activities.”
