The sign at the Yukon University Ayamdigut campus. Photo Courtesy of Yukon U/Facebook.
Whitehorse, YT – Yukon University is pulling out of its role in the 2026 Arctic Winter Games less than 40 days before the event begins.
The move means the university will no longer provide food services or space for key Games operations, including the polyclinic, operations centre, mission offices and transportation hub. Badminton will also be moved to another venue.
The university and the Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society say the decision was made by mutual agreement after more than 400 Yukon university employees voted in favour of a strike mandate last month.
“In recognizing the impact that a potential labour disruption may have on the success of the games should the university have remained a main hub, we had no option but to withdraw our agreement with the AWG Host Society,” said Yukon U interim President Shelagh Rowles in a release.
Games organizers say contingency plans are already in motion and more details will be released soon.
