Games on: Opening ceremony gets Canada Games off to energetic start in St. John's

ST. JOHN'S —  If the opening ceremony was any indication, the next 17 days of competition at the 2025 Canada Games are going to be full of energy and excitement.

Thousands of young athletes from every Canadian province and territory marched into the sold-out Mary Brown's Centre to loud cheers, but the loudest were reserved for the hosts. Team Newfoundland and Labrador had the audience on their feet, waving flags, and cheering at the top of their voices as athletes entered to the upbeat sounds of Great Big Sea's Ordinary Day.

Canada Games Host Society CEO Karen Sherriffs said the opening ceremony was a way to introduce "the richness of our local culture" but it also set the table for what's to come.

"It's that 'welcome' to all these athletes that's gonna really set the stage for two really unforgettable weeks of competition," she said. "It's pretty magical when all those athletes start to come in and are the centre of attention as they walk in by province and territory.

"These athletes have trained for over four years to get to this point …[and] this is the first time that they may represent their province or territory on a national stage."

The Canada Games are Open! Step onto the floor of the opening ceremony

Sherriffs said the opening ceremony creates a lasting memory for many athletes simply because it brings everyone together.

"We often hear from Canada Games alumni – whether that's athletes, staff or officials or coaches – sometimes our most memorable moment is the opening and closing ceremonies. Because it's really that sense of unity, pride [and] excitement that they carry with them," Sherriffs said.

"When they walk into that [arena], it doesn't matter what province territory you're from, that crowd and the