The 46th Empire State Winter Games Opening Ceremony

The 2026 Empire State Winter Games will start on Thursday, February 5, 2026, with the Opening Ceremony at 6:30 p.m., officially commencing the 2026 Games.

The ceremony will take place at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, in the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena on Main Street. The Games will run from Februay 5 to February 8, 2026, across Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Wilmington, and Paul Smiths.

Athlete Village

In addition to the Opening Ceremony, everyone is invited to visit the Athlete Village. Located in the Main Municipal Lot on Main Street, next to the Olympic Center, the Athlete Village is the perfect spot for family fun. Enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, sport activities, athlete interviews, a photo booth, and more!

The exact timing and additional details will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

About ESWG

The Empire State Winter Games is the largest Olympic-style winter sporting event in the Northeast. This winter’s event is expected to attract winter athletes from ages eight to 80 who will compete in 20 winter sports, including sliding sports, figure skating, sled hockey, biathlon, and more. In addition to Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, Paul Smiths, and Wilmington will also host events.