Welcome to Medicine Hat
Sports, recreation, education, community engagement, cultural events, health care and hospitality are just a few of the many reasons people choose Medicine Hat as a great place to live, work, raise their families and retire. With a population of approximately 65,000, it is a growing city with a small-town feel and a warm community with big-city businesses and services. The City of Medicine Hat is ready to share its community spirit and hospitality and welcome all participants and visitors to the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games
The Landscape
Medicine Hat and the surrounding area are all a part of the Canadian Badlands. While the geography might not be iconic badlands hoodoos, as an active gateway to the badlands region, we are one of the larger hubs for accommodations for visitors interested in taking in a variety of badlands experiences.
Often referred to as the “Oasis on the Prairie,” the city is nestled in the beautiful South Saskatchewan River Valley, surrounded by coulees, rolling prairies and sculpted hills. The coulee landscape provides thrilling bike trails, comfortable campsites, and beautiful views. The South Saskatchewan River and Seven Persons Creek provides great opportunities for water sports with great views of the landscape. Additionally, there is 190+ kilometre trail system weaving in and out of the coulees, great for trail enthusiasts to enjoy. Past the coulees is farmland that stretches for kilometres.
The Weather
With 330 days of sunshine, and over 2,500 hours of annual sunshine, Medicine Hat is Canada’s sunniest city. Summers are hot and winters are typically milder than most of Canada. Medicine Hat enjoys a comfortable semi-arid climate with an average summer temperature of 22°C.
The Name “Medicine Hat”
Rich in Indigenous history and culture, Medicine Hat inherited it's name from the Blackfoot word “Saamis”, which is loosely translation as “medicine man’s hat”. The legend tells of a winter with great famine and hardship for the Blackfoot Nation.
Click here for more information on how Medicine Hat got its name.
Sport and Recreation
Medicine Hat residents have more recreational facilities per capita than most other cities in Canada. In addition to its top-quality recreational facilities, the city offers over 155 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, 250 hectares of parkland and six first-class golf courses. There are indoor and outdoor pools, six indoor skating rinks, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds and much more. So whether you enjoy the ice, the water or the sun, there is a sport for everyone in every season.
In 2015, The City of Medicine Hat opened a new 6,000-seat arena. Co-op Place is home to the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) and many major concerts. In 2016, an expansion of the Big Marble Go Centre added a new running track, fitness centre, two turf fields and two full gymnasiums.
GETTING TO MEDICINE HAT
Located at the crossroads of Trans-Canada Highway 1 and Highway 3, Medicine Hat is easily accessible in all directions with excellent road and air facilities. Medicine Hat is located approximately three hours from Calgary International Airport (YYC). Visitors can rent a car directly from the airport or take a daily bus that travels between Calgary and Medicine Hat. Please note that if you are planning to rent a car in Medicine Hat, Enterprise is the only rental company in Medicine Hat.
For those preferring to fly directly, the Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) offers a connecting flight from Calgary, though please note that there is currently only one flight in and out of Medicine Hat per day, so booking early is recommended.
GETTING AROUND MEDICINE HAT
Once in Medicine Hat you’ll find that most event venues have ample on-site parking (please refer to venue pages for additional parking information), making it easy for those renting a car.
If utilizing City of Medicine Hat transit buses, we highly recommend downloading the Medicine Hat Transit App for bus routes and schedules and allow extra time when travelling to major events like the Opening Ceremony.
Medicine Hat is a friendly, easy to navigate city with short travel times between all venues. Ride-sharing services and local taxi’s are also available. Please reference the list below for the licensed Vehicle for Hire Services in Medicine Hat
Care Cabs
Deluxe Central Taxi
Canadian Rideshare Ltd.
MH Ride Ltd.
Uride
Y Drive
Old West Transport (Accessible Transportation Service)
Rolly’s Wheelchair Van (Accessible Transportation Service)