Isle of Man confirmed as 2029 Island Games host

The Isle of Man team claimed a total of 63 medals when the games were held in Guernsey in 2023

The Isle of Man has been confirmed as the host of the Island Games in 2029.

There was unanimous backing for the Manx bid at the International Island Games Association's annual general meeting at the weekend.

The gathering also saw the Faroe Islands cemented as hosts in 2027, following the withdrawal of Ynys Mon in December.

Interim chairman of the association Andrew Inkster said the games had “grown steadily” since first being held in 1985 and he was confident the Isle of Man would build on that success.

The Manx branch of the association hosted those inaugural games and again welcomed athletes from other small islands in 2001.

Education, Sport and Culture Minister Daphne Caine previously said about £1.9m would need to be spent to improve facilities ahead of 2029.

Welcoming the official confirmation of the Manx bid, Ms Caine said: “I am confident that the Isle of Man will deliver a games to remember.”

Andrew Inkster (second left) welcomed a delegation from the Isle of Man at the association's AGM

The Isle of Man made its bid to host the games during the last event, held in Guernsey a year ago.

Sports included in the 2029 games will be archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, squash, swimming, table-tennis, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.

Mr Inkster said: “We are delighted to see these future Host Island arrangements confirmed… and we look forward to seeing more progress in their arrangements.

“With a number of other member islands also showing serious interest in becoming a host, we are confident that our games are secure for the future."

Gotland in Sweden, which hosted the event in 1999 and 2017, was confirmed as the preferred bidder for the 2031 iteration of the games.