Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is set to officially open the Orkney 2025 International Island Games – an event that will see over 250 athletes from the Isle of Wight compete across 13 different sports.
The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday 12th July 2025 at Bignold Park in Kirkwall, with HRH The Princess Royal attending to formally open the week-long Games.
This marks the first time Orkney has hosted the event, which celebrates sport and community across island nations and territories.
From 12th to 18th July, around 2,000 athletes from 24 island groups across the globe will compete in a wide range of sports. The Isle of Wight will be represented in 13 disciplines, with a strong team of over 250 athletes travelling north for the competition.
Kirsty Talbot, Director of Orkney 2025, has said:
“We are incredibly honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to Orkney to open the 20th International Island Games.
“We are on the brink of a truly unforgettable event that will celebrate Orkney’s rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality which will make this a memorable event for everyone involved.”
The International Island Games is well known to Isle of Wight sports fans, with the Island having previously hosted the event twice and won hundreds of medals over the years. Preparations are already underway, with Team IOW athletes training hard and fundraising efforts continuing to support the large delegation heading to Orkney.
The Opening Ceremony will be hosted by Lorraine Kelly and Stewart Bain and will feature an Athletes’ Parade. Highlights of the week include triathlon races in Stromness, cycling through the West Mainland, and a half marathon in Kirkwall. All events, including the ceremony, are free for the public to attend.
More details can be found at www.orkney2025.com.
If all the Islands entered a speeding competition
my money would be on the Isle of Wights team
“Speeding is rife on the island”