diff --git a/backend/src/app/api/games.py b/backend/src/app/api/games.py
index 67d747c..573f99e 100644
--- a/backend/src/app/api/games.py
+++ b/backend/src/app/api/games.py
@@ -168,11 +168,21 @@ async def list_game_routes(
             "encounter_methods": methods,
         }
 
+    # Determine which routes have encounters for this game
+    def has_encounters(route: Route) -> bool:
+        return any(re.game_id == game_id for re in route.route_encounters)
+
+    # Collect IDs of parent routes that have at least one child with encounters
+    parents_with_children = set()
+    for route in all_routes:
+        if route.parent_route_id is not None and has_encounters(route):
+            parents_with_children.add(route.parent_route_id)
+
     if flat:
         return [
             route_to_dict(r)
             for r in all_routes
-            if any(re.game_id == game_id for re in r.route_encounters)
+            if has_encounters(r) or r.id in parents_with_children
         ]
 
     # Build hierarchical structure
@@ -183,22 +193,17 @@ async def list_game_routes(
     for route in all_routes:
         if route.parent_route_id is None:
             top_level_routes.append(route)
-        else:
-            # Only include children that have encounters for this game
-            if any(re.game_id == game_id for re in route.route_encounters):
-                children_by_parent.setdefault(route.parent_route_id, []).append(
-                    route_to_dict(route)
-                )
+        elif has_encounters(route):
+            children_by_parent.setdefault(route.parent_route_id, []).append(
+                route_to_dict(route)
+            )
 
     # Build response with nested children
     # Only include top-level routes that have their own encounters or remaining children
     response = []
     for route in top_level_routes:
         children = children_by_parent.get(route.id, [])
-        has_own_encounters = any(
-            re.game_id == game_id for re in route.route_encounters
-        )
-        if has_own_encounters or children:
+        if has_encounters(route) or children:
             route_dict = route_to_dict(route)
             route_dict["children"] = children
             response.append(route_dict)