The beginnings of the National Youth Games
In 1991, Ungmennasamband Eyjafjarðar (UMSE) came up with the idea of holding national games for teenagers within the youth association movement. The idea had actually come up before, but nothing had come of it. It started when UMSE took on the Icelandic Athletics Championships for 14-year-olds and younger in Akureyri in the summer of 1991.
While that event was being prepared, the idea arose that it would be fun to hold a large event with children from more than one sport. The UMSE board decided to explore interest in such an event, which could also mark the federation’s 70th anniversary in 1992. It immediately seemed a good idea to invite UMFÍ clubs and federations to take part, and people began talking about UMFÍ national youth games that would be held every few years in the future.
The idea came from Jón Sævar Þórðarson, who had been UMSE’s managing director for some time. Jón is known for his energy, and this was a fitting task for him. He can therefore rightly be called the pioneer of the National Youth Games. From the very beginning, the idea was that the event should not primarily focus on top performance in individual sports, as there would also be plenty of entertainment for young people. Competitions would be mixed with evening events, fun and outdoor activities, and there would be something for everyone.
Vormenn Íslands, p. 587.
Overview of the National Youth Games
Year
Location
Host federation
2026
Sauðárkróki
UMSS - Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
2025
Egilsstaðir
UÍA - Ungmenna- og Íþróttasamband Austurlands
2024
Borgarnesi
UMSB - Ungmennasamband Borgarfjarðar
2023
Sauðárkróki
UMSS – Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
2022
Selfossi
HSK - Héraðssambandið Skarphéðinn
2019
Höfn í Hornafirði
USÚ – Ungmennasambandið Úlfljótur
2018
Þorlákshöfn
HSK – Héraðssambandið Skarphéðinn
2017
Egilsstöðum
UÍA - Ungmenna- og Íþróttasamband Austurlands
2016
Borgarnesi
UMSB – Ungmennasamband Borgarfjarðar
2015
Akureyri
UFA – Ungmennafélag Akureyrar
2014
Sauðárkróki
UMSS – Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
2013
Höfn í Hornafirði
USÚ – Ungmennasambandið Úlfljótur
2012
Selfossi
HSK – Héraðssambandið Skarphéðinn
2011
Egilsstöðum
UÍA - Ungmenna- og Íþróttasamband Austurlands
2010
Borgarnesi
UMSB – Ungmennasamband Borgarfjarðar
2009
Sauðárkróki
UMSS – Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
2008
Þorlákshöfn
HSK – Héraðssambandið Skarphéðinn
2007
Höfn í Hornafirði
USÚ – Ungmennasambandið Úlfljótur
2006
Laugum
HSÞ – Héraðssamband Þingeyinga
2005
Vík í Mýrdal
USVS - Ungmennasamband Vestur Skafafellssýslu
2004
Sauðárkróki
UMSS – Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
2003
Ísafirði
HSV – Héraðssamband Vestfirðinga
2002
Stykkishólmi
UMSS – Ungmennasamband Skagafjarðar
2000
Vesturbyggð og Tálknafirði
HHF – Héraðssambandið Hrafnaflóki
1998
Reykjavík
UMFF – Ungmennafélagið Fjölnir
1995
Blönduósi
USAH - Ungmennasamband Austur Húnvetninga
1992
Dalvík
UMSE – Ungmennasamband Eyjafjarðar