SM Week Winter 2026: Umeå Set to Host Major Sporting Event
Umeå, Sweden, is gearing up to host the SM Week Winter 2026, a premier national sporting event, from March 25-29, 2026. The event will showcase 23 different sports, attracting some of Sweden’s most talented athletes and offering extensive television coverage. Despite challenges, including the cancellation of ski orienteering competitions due to unfavorable weather conditions, the event promises a diverse and exciting program.
Sports Featured at SM Week Winter 2026
The SM Week Winter will feature a wide array of sports, including:
- Snow bike (new to the program)
- Bågskytte (Archery)
- Längdskidor (Cross-country skiing)
- Cheerleading
- Draghund (Dog sledding)
- Skidalpinism (Ski mountaineering)
- Bowling
- E-cycling
- Luftpistol (Air pistol)
- Klättring (Climbing)
- Cykel och X-trial (Cycling and X-trial)
- Esport racing
- Armbrytning (Arm wrestling)
- Curling
- Badminton
Umeå University Students Compete
Several students from Umeå University will be participating in the SM Week Winter 2026, representing a variety of disciplines. Here’s a breakdown of the students and their respective sports:
- Arm wrestling: Mea Eriksson (Physiotherapist programme)
- Badminton: Alexander Pilon (Physiotherapist programme), Alexander Strandberg (Physiotherapist programme), Alice Molin (The Program for Strategic Communication), Edvard Hylander (Master of Science in Industrial Economics), Elliot Sifver Grahn (Master of Science in Industrial Economics), Helmer Andersson (MSc in interaction and design), Johan Azelius (The medical program), Lucas Forslund (Psychology program majoring in sports), Maria Rönner (The medical program), Romina Olyaee (Psychology program majoring in sports)
- Cross-country skis: Agnes Öhrn (Master of Business Administration program), Arvid Norberg (Master’s program in industrial economics), Carl Gustafsson (Master’s program in industrial economics), Ella Georgsson (The medical program), Joel Ernstsson (MSc engineering program in technical computer science), John Hermansson (Master of Science in Industrial Economics), Magdalena Nilsson (Nursing programme), Maria Olofsson (Law program), Moa Hedman (University engineering program in energy technology), Nelly Stenman (Physiotherapist programme), Nora Wallenius (Free standing course: Förvaltningsrätt), Sebastian Hägglöf (Bachelor’s program in Economics), Simon Nordlander (Master’s program in industrial economics), Sofi Holmberg (The medical program), Sofia Lundqvist (Psychology program majoring in sports), Ylva Sandström (Psychology program majoring in sports), Nikolaj Riekkola (MSc engineering program in technical physics)
- Scootercross: Hilda Öhman (Physiotherapist programme)
- Skidalpinism: Matilda Edvinsson (Bachelor of Economics program)
- Ski orienteering (cancelled): Alicia Bergkvist (MSc engineering program in technical computer science), Anna Aasa (Independent courses), Ella Turesson (Community planner program), Mattias Larsson (Politics’ bachelor’s program), Rasmus Wickbom (KPU Special sports), Timo Kudre (International economics program)
Ski Orienteering Cancelled Due to Weather
Unfortunately, the ski orienteering competitions scheduled for SM Week Winter 2026 have been cancelled due to the mild weather and lack of snow. The Umeå Orienteering Club explored alternative locations, including Ersmarksberget, Bjurholm, Vännäs and Burträsk, but insufficient snow conditions persisted across all potential sites. SM-veckan.se
Television Coverage
SM Week Winter 2026 will receive extensive television coverage on SVT (Swedish Television). Here’s a glimpse of the schedule:
- Wednesday, March 25: 15:00-17:15 (SVT1/SVT2/SVT Play) – SM-veckan, winter, Umeå; 15:00-17:15 (SVT Play) – Längdskidor (Cross-country skiing), stafett (relay)
- Thursday, March 26: 14:50-17:15 (SVT1/SVT2/SVT Play) – SM-veckan, winter, Umeå; 15:00-17:15 (SVT Play) – Längdskidor, 20 kilometer masstart
- Friday, March 27: 09:30-10:25 (SVT Play) – Draghund; 10:00-10:40 (SVT Play) – Snowbike; 10:00-11:00 (SVT Play) – Bågskytte; 10:20-16:00 (SVT1/SVT Play) – SM-veckan, Umeå; and more throughout the day.
- Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29: Coverage continues on SVT1, SVT2, and SVT Play.
Sports Academy Presence
The Sports Academy will have a stand at the Umeå Energi Arena during SM Week, providing information about Umeå University’s sports education and support for elite athletes pursuing dual careers.
SM Week Winter 2026 promises to be a significant event for Swedish sports, showcasing athletic talent and fostering a spirit of competition and community in Umeå.