Inflatable bocce courts help deliver record-breaking Special Olympics Canada Games

Portable Packaworld courts provided world-class playing conditions for the Special Olympics Canada Games Medicine Hat 2026 bocce competition, with the Games standing out as the biggest multi-sport event in the Alberta city of Medicine Hat’s history.

Around 1,700 athletes competed in bocce and other summer sports from 11 to 15 August, representing their provinces as they were cheered on by 3,500 spectators, including The Governor General of Canada Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour.

High-quality Packabocce courts set the scene for bocce competition at the Big Marble Go Centre, with athletes vying not just for glory, but for a shot at representing Canada at the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile.

Speaking to Medicine Hat News, British Columbia representative and bocce singles category winner Patrik Lowe said he found the competition challenging yet rewarding.

“I get to meet new people and I've got close to my teammates from my province.

“It's really just an amazing experience and I'm very proud of what I did and how hard I worked to get here. I also played against some very tough opponents and it was not easy.”

As well as the perennially popular game of bocce, Special Olympics Canada Games Medicine Hat 2026 also featured athletics, basketball, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and tenpin bowling.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said it was a privilege to see Packaworld’s innovative portable bocce courts used to support more and more events of this calibre.

“Portable courts allow competition organisers to enable world-class bocce competition anywhere they want to take it, which is what athletes at this level deserve.

“Our courts can be set up in minutes and packed away just as quickly, which gives organisers the flexibility to focus on running a great event rather than wrestling with equipment logistics.”

Once inflated, Packabocce courts are rigid enough to allow for the bank shots and precise strategic play that top-level bocce demands, while still packing down into bags for easy transport and storage. That means event organisers no longer need to rely on permanent facilities to host top-tier bocce competitions.

Medicine Hat 2026 marks another milestone in Packaworld’s presence at the world's most significant Special Olympics events. Packabocce courts have also featured at World Games in Berlin, the USA National Games, the Latin American Games, as well as many other national, state and regional Special Olympics competitions.