We are delighted to welcome the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators, to the 2016 School Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, taking place at Loughborough University.   By replicating the formal elements of the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games, the ceremonies will provide the young athletes with a flavour of the positives, the challenges and the choices they are likely to face later on in their sporting careers.  The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will again be ‘for young people by young people’.

The Opening Ceremony is a high profile moment at the event to officially welcome and congratulate the athletes on reaching the School Games National Finals and to inspire them to perform at their personal best over the course of the competitions. This year’s Opening Ceremony will be themed around the ‘Pride of Britain’, and will be a celebration of the country’s achievements and participation in the Rio 2016 Olympics and upcoming Paralympic Games.  The show will bring together a range of diverse, young, talented performers from the local area and further afield.  From street performers, dancers, gymnasts and singers, the show is guaranteed to be a spectacular start to the 2016 School Games.

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Thursday 1 September, 20:00-20:45, at the Shirley Pearce Square, Loughborough University.

The Closing Ceremony is an important moment to thank the athletes, volunteers and officials, to celebrate the successes and reflect on performances.

The Closing Ceremony will take place on Sunday 4 September, 15:45-16:15, at the Shirley Pearce Square, Loughborough University.