NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Hundreds of athletes and families are in Marquette County this weekend for the 2026 Meijer State Games of Michigan.
Running through Sunday, the Winter Games feature Olympic-style competition across a range of events — from sled hockey and snowshoeing to ice fishing and luge-style races throughout the Central Upper Peninsula.
The annual celebration kicked off tonight alongside the Heikki Lunta Winter Festival in downtown Negaunee, bringing local culture and winter fun together for competitors of all ages.
“We have roughly 2000 to 2500 athletes competing all over the state of Michigan in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. We also welcome athletes from Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and we also have some Canadian athletes competing in some of our events,” said Courtney Roberson, U.P. Event Coordinator, Meijer State Games of Michigan.
The annual event features competition in Marquette County as well as the downstate counterpart in the Grand Rapids area.
