A brand-new summer celebration of sport, games and community spirit, called the Wight Games Festival, will benefit Mountbatten Isle of Wight and two other Island charities.

Between June and August 2026, the Wight Games Festival promises a joyful mash-up of traditional sports, games and quirky activities.

It is the creation of multi-platinum selling music star, Mike Christie from G4, who is also known for setting up Cowes's Wight Proms Festival. The actor, composer, singer and songwriter is proud to call the Island his home. He recently announced plans for a sushi cafe in Cowes.

What to expect from the Wight Games Festival 2026

The Wight Games Festival will bring together everything from sailing, cricket, chess and tennis to a colouring competition. It will even include (the wonderfully ridiculous) welly wanging.

From Roman-era board games at Brading Roman Villa and Quizzy Bingo at Mountbatten Isle of Wight, there will also be indoor curling, and darts with the WI.

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How can I take part in the Wight Games Festival 2026?

Free to enter, the Wight Games Festival will encourage donations, with fundraising shared equally between Mountbatten Isle of Wight, Independent Arts and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust charity.

Details of participating clubs and events will be revealed in the run up to the summer event.

For more, visit the Wight Games Festival website

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Photos: Mike Christie (centre) with Mountbatten's Charlotte and Harri, together with representatives from Independent Arts and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust charities.

Designed as an all-inclusive celebration, the Wight Games Festival aims to offer something for everyone — whether you are a club regular or complete beginner. Keen to try something new? From your mind to your muscles, and from weights to wellbeing, there will be something for you.

"Enormous joy"

“It gives me enormous joy to give something back to the Island community," said Mike. "The Isle of Wight is packed with extraordinary clubs, groups and individuals doing brilliant things and the Wight Games Festival is our chance to showcase that incredible variety.

“I wanted to create something where absolutely everyone can take part in something that interests them, whether it’s a traditional sport they already love or something completely unexpected that they haven’t even tried before. 

“It’s about rethinking what we see as a ‘sport’, making the Wight Games Festival fully accessible, bringing people together and, at the same time, raising money for three extremely important local charities which do amazing work on our Island.”

Becky McGregor, Mountbatten CEO, said: “Mountbatten Isle of Wight is delighted to be involved in Wight Games Festival 2026. We are looking forward to taking part and running our own Quizzy Bingo. I know there will be some amazing games and sports on offer, which look set to get the whole Island moving and living well — one of our key objectives.

"We are very grateful for Mike Christie’s ongoing support. We appreciate his regular involvement as a music ambassador on our inpatient unit and John Cheverton Centre, interacting with people using Mountbatten’s services.

"We are excited to be part of this new Island event.”