The organising committee for the Orkney 2025 Island Games have announced that the Games will take place from 12 – 18 July 2025. 

Orkney had been due to host the Games in July 2023 but with Guernsey unable to host the Games this year due to the effects of the Covid19 pandemic, a decision was taken by the International Island Games Association for the Guernsey games to be moved to 2023  – and the Orkney Games to 2025. 

Gordon Deans (Chair of the Orkney 2025 Organising Committee) commented: “As with so many sporting and cultural events across the world, the staging of the Orkney Games was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic – leading to a change to the year in which we’ll host the Games. 

Since last year’s AGM at which this decision was taken, our organising committee has continued to meet, remotely of course, and have been working with our partners to progress our plans – including setting the new dates of the Games to 12 – 18 July 2025. 

The pandemic and subsequent postponement of the event meant that some activities were initially paused, such as our search for a Games Director, our ability to approach and secure sponsors and the development of key officials and coaches but these areas are once again very much on our agenda and in May, we had our first face to face OC meeting in over 14 months. 

We are very grateful to our key funders, Orkney Islands Council and the Scottish Government through EventScotland who have been incredibly supportive and patient throughout, and we are delighted to say that the previous agreements have been extended to accommodate our move to 2025. 

This delay has also brought some welcome benefits, not least some breathing and recovery space for several of our sports, some of whom have perhaps struggled more than others throughout the pandemic. 

For many, the additional time has provided welcome opportunities to make improvements to facilities, increase membership and secure additional funding that will, come Games time, both enhance the competitor and spectator experience and provide lasting legacy benefits. 

We believe we are in a strong position in terms of our planning and are working tirelessly to ensure that we can deliver an event worthy of celebrating the incredible success story of this competition and indeed what will be, in 2025, the 20th Island Games.” 

The Games will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world come together to compete in 13 different sports, in a unique celebration of sport, fierce competition and friendship. 

Source: EventScotland