Orkney Island Games: Everything you need to know

BBC News

09-07-2025

The Island Games will be taking over Orkney this week, with thousands of visitors from around the world expected to descend on the Scottish archipelago.An estimated 2,000 competitors and volunteers will swell Orkney's population by almost 10%, but many spectators are also expected to make the trip.Twelve sporting events will be the focus of the week-long event, with up to 24 island groups competing for medals.
What are the Island Games and when do they begin?
The first Island Games was held in the Isle of Man in 1985, when 700 athletes from 15 islands travelled to compete in one of a series of inter-island sports contests.It was intended to be a one-off event but the so-called "Small islands mini-Olympics" was such a success, it has continued every other year. In the past it has been hosted by Guernsey, the Faroe Islands, Åland, the Isle of Wight, Gibraltar and Jersey.
This year the Island Games returns to Scotland for the first time since 2005, when it was hosted by Shetland.It will be officially opened in Kirkwall by the Princess Royal on Saturday 12 July, while an opening ceremony at the town's Bignold Park will be hosted by Lorraine Kelly. The Scottish TV presenter, who has been a regular visitor to the islands during her career, has also been named as an ambassador for the event.
The Games' mascot, Ola the Orca, is also likely to play a role in the ceremony. It was created by Sarah Sutcliffe, 12, who won a competition entered by 880 local children and young people. After the opening ceremony there will be a parade of athletes from Bignold Park to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.There will be events across the week before the closing ceremony on Friday 18 July. Faroe Islands will host the next Island Games in 2027.
What sports are in the Island Games and where are they taking place?
Archery, athletics, badminton, squash and swimming will be held at Kirkwall's Pickaquoy Centre, also known locally as the "Picky". The islands' secondary schools - Kirkwall Grammar and Stromness Academy - will play host to the football competition, as well as Dounby community centre, Rendall community centre, Holm Pitch and Firth Primary School. Stromness Academy will also be the venue for the gymnastics contest.The cycling road race will take place through the west mainland, while the triathlon winds its way through Stromness.Golf competitions will take place at Orkney Golf Club in Kirkwall and Stromness Golf Club, while lawn bowls is at Kirkwall Bowling ClubSailing will be hosted from Hatston Slip, Kirkwall.
Which islands are taking part in the Island Games and which countries do they represent?
Åland (autonomous region of Finland)Alderney (Channel Islands - British Crown dependency)Bermuda (British overseas territory)Cayman Islands (British overseas territory)Falkland Islands (British overseas territory)Faroe Islands (self-governing nation under sovereignty of Denmark)Froya (municipality in Norway)Gibraltar (British overseas territory)Gotland (Sweden)Gozo (Malta) Greenland (autonomous territory in Kingdom of Denmark)Guernsey (Channel Islands - British Crown dependency)Hitra (municipality in Norway)Isle of Man (self-governing British Crown dependency)Isle of Wight (England)Jersey (Channel Islands - British Crown dependency)Menorca (Spain)Orkney (Scotland)Saaremaa (Estonia) Sark (Channel Islands - British Crown dependency)Shetland Islands (Scotland)St Helena (British overseas territory)Western Isles (Scotland)Ynys Môn (Wales)
How can you take part in the Island Games?
Making the Island Games team is often seen as the pinnacle for many island sportspeople.There is a maximum amount of entries in most sports and disciplines, which means it is a competitive process just to be selected.The selection process varies from sport to sport and island to island.For team sports, like football, players will usually be picked by a management team. For individual sports like athletics, most islands will have their own individual qualifying standards.Similar to the Olympics, there is an overall medals table which tends to be by topped by Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
Where are visitors staying during the Island Games?
The huge influx of visitors has put pressure on accommodation in Orkney - one of the smallest island groups ever to have hosted the games.With most of the hotels and B&Bs full, some people are turning to lodging in people's houses or camping.Others are staying in self-catering accommodation, hostels or dormitories set up in schools. Ahead of this year's games, there have been concerns from some travelling athletes about their accommodation.Guernsey's men's football team, one of the favourites for the competition, pulled out due to being unable to find suitable travel and accommodation.
How can I watch the Island Games?
If you're looking to watch events in person, there is no need to book tickets as all events are free and work on a first-come-first-served basis.A full schedule for the events can be found on the Orkney Island Games 2025 website. You can also watch live streams of different sports on the official Orkney Island Games Youtube channel. A full list of results of the 2025 Island Games will be posted here.And there will be daily updates and coverage on BBC Radio Orkney.
Which famous people have taken part in past Island Games?
Cyclist Mark Cavendish and heptathlete Kelly Sotherton are among several famous faces who have competed in past Island Games. Cavendish is the most successful sprinter in cycling history and has won 35 stages at the Tour de France.You could say his career started at the Island Games in Guernsey 2003, when he won the criterium race for the Isle of Man as an unknown 18-year-old. Sotherton took home six gold medals from the 1997 Island Games in Jersey, where the 20-year-old was representing the Isle of Wight. Two years later she scooped five medals at games in the Swedish island of Gotland and has since added to her medal haul with three Olympic bronze medals.
Are there any road closures during the games and what is the travel advice?
Central Kirkwall will be affected by road closures on Saturday 12 July, when the opening ceremony and athletes' parade takes place. A route between Bignold Park and Harbour Street will be shut between 16:00 and 19:00. The triathlon on Sunday 13 July will see road closures at Stromness harbour and surrounding areas, A965 and Howe Road, in the morning and early afternoon. The A966 between Finstown, Evie and Costa will be closed between 10:00 and 15:00 for the cycling time trial on Monday 14 July. A cycling road race on Wednesday 16 July will cause disruption between 09:45 and 16:00 on the A986, B9056 and A967, through Dounby, Twatt and Sandwick. Roads in Kirkwall, around the Picky and Wideford Hill area, will be closed for the half marathon between 08:00 and 11:45 on Friday 18 July. The cycling criterium will also lead to road closures in Kirkwall on Friday 18 July. It is taking a circular route from Junction Road, including Union Street, Watergate and Castle Street. Organisers are trying to promote "active travel" - cycling and walking - in Kirkwall and Stromness. They say additional bus services are being laid on to connect events around Orkney, and there will be a park and ride facility at Orkney Auction Mart for travel to Kirkwall venues.
What's the weather going to be like for the Island Games?
It looks like the weather is going to smile on the start of the big event."It'll be a glorious start to the Games weather-wise," said BBC Scotland weather forecaster Gillian Smart."High pressure to the east of Scotland means southerly winds will bring very warm air right across the country over the weekend."Orkney will be fine and dry, with blue skies and plenty of warm sunshine. Temperatures will be between 18C and 20C."