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National Youth Games

FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions

  • When you arrive in Sauðárkrókur, the first thing to do is to stop by the Games service centre and collect your wristband. The service centre is located in Árskóli primary school on Skagfirðingabraut.

    All participants aged 11–18 at the National Youth Games receive a wristband, which they need to wear throughout the Games. The wristband gives access to all the sports they have registered for, as well as the whole programme of the Games. Younger siblings aged 10 and under can also get a wristband, free of charge, so that they can be part of the celebration.

    If your wristband breaks during the Games, bring it to the service centre and you will be given a new one.

    The wristband also opens doors, as everyone with a wristband gets free entry to the swimming pools in Skagafjörður.

  • Are you wondering whether younger siblings can come along?

    The UMFÍ National Youth Games are a drug- and alcohol-free sports and family festival. All young people who turn 11 during the year, up to the age of 18, can take part in the sports at the Games. The year of birth applies.

    Children under 10 also have plenty to do, just like their parents. There will be life and fun at the Games from morning to evening every day. Here are some examples of what will be on offer for those aged 10 and under: football fun, a games park, LED badminton, gymnastics, a pool party, a basketball party, blind football, ringo, disc golf, a town walk, yoga, evening events, concerts, dancing, a disco and much more. All activities are open and completely free.

    Children accompanied by adults pay no participation fee. Children and young people under 18 are not expected to attend the Games on their own.

  • Of course we do not ban cars at the Games, but there is a limited number of parking spaces near the sports area. We would be grateful if cars were used as little as possible.

  • Some people cannot be without their animals. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the sports area in Sauðárkrókur.

  • It is easy to get to Sauðárkrókur.

    Here are some distances:

    • Reykjavík – Sauðárkrókur   291 km.
    • Ísafjörður – Sauðárkrókur   436 km.
    • Akureyri – Sauðárkrókur   120 km.
    • Egilsstaðir – Sauðárkrókur   367 km.
    • Höfn – Sauðárkrókur   552 km.

  • No, not in all sports. Some are for certain age groups, so it is important to check the age groups for each sport. It is also clear that no one can compete in all the sports at the Games. There are too many, and some take place at the same time.

    That said, there is only one participation fee, and those who pay it can choose any sports they like, in line with the age groups of each sport.

  • There are cash machines at Arion banki and Landsbankinn.

  • Several sports have team competitions. When registering for a team competition, each person must complete their own registration. The first person to register must create the team. Once the team has been created, other participants can register for/select the team. It is not possible to register a whole team at once except by emailing umfi@umfi.is.

    Don’t have a full team?
    If, for example, two friends register but need more people to complete the team, it is best to come up with a team name and register that name. We at UMFÍ will then make sure the players are put together in a team.

    Need a team?
    If an individual would like to be in a team, it is best to register and choose the pre-registered option “without a team”. We at UMFÍ will then place them in a team.

    The link to register a participant for sports is under Registrations in the app (choose Shop – your initials in the top right corner – and select the receipt for the National Youth Games participation fee). The link is also on the receipt you received by email for the payment.

  • It can be confusing to understand all the talk about regional sports federations, member federations and clubs. UMFÍ is the national federation of sports and youth clubs all over the country. UMFÍ has 26 member federations: 25 regional sports federations and one youth club with direct membership.


    Example:
    Jón lives in Reykjavík and plays basketball with Valur. The sports club Valur is a club under Íþróttabandalag Reykjavíkur (ÍBR), which is a member federation of UMFÍ. Jón therefore belongs to ÍBR at the National Youth Games.

    Gunna does athletics with Skallagrímur. Skallagrímur is a member club of Ungmennasamband Borgarfjarðar (UMSB), which is a member federation of UMFÍ. Gunna therefore belongs to UMSB at the Games.

    Which member federation do you belong to?
    Here is a list of regions and regional sports federations.

    Capital area

    • ÍBR – Íþróttabandalag Reykjavíkur
    • ÍBH - Íþróttabandalag Hafnarfjarðar
    • UMSK – Ungmennasamband Kjalarnesþings
    • V – Ungmennafélagið Vesturhlíð (club with direct membership)

    West Iceland

    • HSH – Héraðssamband Snæfellsness og Hnappadalssýslu
    • ÍA – Íþróttabandalag Akraness
    • UDN – Ungmennasamband Dalamanna og N Breiðfirðinga
    • UMSB – Ungmennasamband Borgarfjarðar

    Westfjords

    • HSS – Héraðssamband Strandamanna
    • HHF – Héraðssambandið Hrafnaflóki
    • HSB- Héraðssamband Bolungarvíkur
    • HSV – Héraðssamband Vestfirðinga

    Northwest Iceland

    • UMSS – Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
    • USAH – Ungmennasamband Austur Húnvetninga
    • USVH – Ungmennasamband Vestur Húnvetninga

    Northeast Iceland

    • HSÞ – Héraðssamband Þingeyinga
    • ÍBA – Íþróttabandalag Akureyrar
    • UÍF – Ungmanna- og Íþróttasamband Fjallabyggðar
    • UMSE – Ungmennasamband Eyjafjarðar

    East Iceland

    • UÍA – Ungmenna- og Íþróttasamband Austurlands
    • USÚ – Ungmennasambandið Úlfljótur

    South Iceland

    • HSK – Héraðssambandið Skarphéðinn
    • USVS – Ungmennasamband Vestur Skaftafellssýslu
    • ÍBV - Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja

    Suðurnes (Reykjanes Peninsula)

    • ÍRB - Íþróttabandalag Reykjanesbæjar
    • ÍS - Íþróttabandalag Suðurnesja

  • There will be a large food tent at the venue, open from morning to evening, offering all kinds of treats.

    Sauðárkrókur also has excellent restaurants that are well worth a visit.

  • The UMFÍ National Youth Games in Sauðárkrókur 2026 are a joint project of UMFÍ, UMSS and the municipality of Skagafjörður.

  • The opening ceremony takes place at the sports stadium and starts at 20:00 on Friday.
    All participants are expected to take part in the opening ceremony, marching into the venue in a parade with their regional sports federation at the start of the ceremony.

    Participants will gather before the opening ceremony at 19:30 on the artificial grass pitch.

    Jóhann Steinar Ingimundarson, Chair of UMFÍ, will give a short address and open the Games. The Games flame will be lit and the UMFÍ festival flag raised.

  • After the evening event on Sunday, the Games are officially closed.

  • Lost property will be collected at the Games service centre. After the Games, you can email umfi@umfi.is

  • There will be plenty of rubbish bins all over the venue. Help us keep the area tidy and put rubbish in the bins. We will sort waste according to a specific system, and information about it will be available at the venue.

    “How you treat your surroundings shows who you are” is a good saying for guests to keep in mind.

  • There are toilets at the campsite. They can also be found in the sports facilities and at the competition venues. And of course there are toilets in restaurants and shops all over town.

  • For minor injuries, there is a first aid kit with plasters and the like at the Games service centre. Rescue team members are on duty around the clock at the campsite, and you can always go to them. If an injury is serious, call 112.

    There is a health centre/hospital in Sauðárkrókur, where doctors will be on duty every day of the Games. Nurses answer the 1700 helpline around the clock, giving advice and guidance and referring people to doctors as needed.

  • Around 450 volunteers help prepare and run the Games. So there is a good chance that you will meet volunteers in various roles at the Games. Give them a smile and thank them for helping to make your Games an enjoyable experience.

  • Registration opened on 15 June.

    Participants pay a single participation fee of ISK 11,900, regardless of how many sports they take part in. The fee must be paid electronically when registering for the Games. Only participants aged 11–18 pay. It is free for younger siblings who are not eligible to compete, and for parents.

    After the registration deadline, it is not possible to register online or guarantee participation in all sports. However, we will do our best to make sure everyone can take part. Send an email to umfi@umfi.is.

    We encourage participants to register in good time.

  • Once you have registered a participant for the Games in Abler, you should receive an email with a link. The link takes you to the registration for sports. If you have not received the link or want to go straight to the registration page through the app, follow these steps:

    • Open the Abler app.
    • Go to your profile.
    • Tap the button “Verslanir og markaðstorg” (Shops and marketplace).
    • Choose “Markaðstorg” (Marketplace).
    • Choose “Ungmennafélag Íslands”.
    • Tap your initials/profile picture (in the top right corner).
    • Go to “Skráningar” (Registrations).
    • Find the National Youth Games (Unglingalandsmót) and tap “Sjá meira” (See more).

    You should now be able to register yourself and your family for sports and/or see the sports you or the participant are already registered for.

  • If you want to create a team with participants of different ages, you can contact UMFÍ to complete the registration. You can do this by emailing umfi@umfi.is or calling 568-2929. We are happy to help.

  • If you want to create a team with participants of different genders, you can contact UMFÍ to complete the registration. You can do this by emailing umfi@umfi.is or calling 568-2929. We are happy to help.

  • Registered participants get free entry to the swimming pools in Skagafjörður by showing their Games wristband.

  • Everyone with a wristband gets free entry to the swimming pools in Skagafjörður.

    The pool’s opening hours have been extended over the weekend: ...

  • The Games campsite will be at Nafir, just above the sports area in the heart of Sauðárkrókur. There will be plenty of space for families and guests who want to be at the centre of the atmosphere all weekend.

    The fee for each camping unit is ISK 9,900 and covers the whole weekend, from Thursday to Monday. The fee includes access to electricity, toilets and running water.

    Those planning to stay at the campsite must register and pay before arriving at the venue. Registration takes place through UMFÍ and opens on 15 June 2026.

    The campsite is divided by region, and there will be life and fun all over the area. During the Games, rescue team members will be on duty around the clock to ensure safety and a good environment for all guests.

    • Electric cars may not be charged using the campsite’s electrical system. The system cannot handle the load and will trip. Anyone found misusing the electrical system will have to pay for the call-out of repair staff and any resulting damage.
    • We restrict all traffic on the campsite and ask that cars be kept outside it. All vehicle traffic on and around the campsite is prohibited between 24:00 and 07:00 except with special permission from the supervisors.
    • Only campsite guests are allowed into the campsite after 24:00.
    • Quiet must be observed in the campsite from 00:30.
    • Drivers must drive very carefully on the campsite.
    • Guests are responsible for all their belongings in the campsite.
    • Everyone must put rubbish in the bins provided on the campsite.
    • Dog owners must keep their dogs on a lead and clean up after them.
    • The campsite will be supervised around the clock during the National Youth Games.
    • All use of alcohol and drugs is of course prohibited.
    • Take care with fire. Never put a barbecue inside a tent or awning. When pitching a tent or parking a caravan/trailer tent/motorhome on the campsite, there must always be at least 3 metres between units.
    • If anyone breaks these rules, the organisers may remove them from the area.
    • The emergency number is 112.

  • After doing sports all day, it is a great opportunity to put on your dancing shoes and have fun in the evening with old and new friends.

    Performers include: Ernir Daði, Ragga Hólm, Sprite Zero Klan, Maron Birnir, Úlfur Úlfur and Reynir Snær, Eysteinn and Lillý.

  • Please note that all participants at the UMFÍ National Youth Games take part at their own risk. Now is the right time to find your insurance policy and check the terms before coming to the Games, to make sure everything is as it should be.

  • Everyone aged 11–18 during the year can register to compete at the Games. You do not need to be in a sports or youth club to take part – everyone can join in.

    A large number of sports are on offer, so everyone should find a sport that suits them. It is important that participants take part on their own terms and put joy first.

    Of course, all sports have their own rules that everyone must respect and follow. Participants can take part in as many sports as they feel able to. It is important, however, to check the times carefully, as some sports take place at the same time. It is also very important to turn up to compete if you have registered for a sport.

    Prizes are awarded for the top three places in all sports: gold, silver and bronze.

    The link to register a participant for sports is under Registrations in the app (choose Shop – your initials in the top right corner – and select the receipt for the National Youth Games participation fee). The link is also on the receipt you received by email for the payment.

  • The Games service centre will be open every day of the Games, where you can get information about the programme, sports, the venue and everything related to the Games.

    Participants also receive wristbands there, which are required to take part in competitions and events.

    The service centre will be located in Árskóli on Skagfirðingabraut.

  • It is extremely important to us that all our guests are safe and feel good. Members of rescue teams supervise the area and do their part to keep guests safe. However, we are all responsible for safety, so guests are encouraged to show kindness to others and to guide those who slip up in their communication or behaviour towards others.

    We ask all drivers to drive carefully, both on the way to and from the Games and in the Games area itself.