The Ontario government is currently inviting applications for the first round of its sports hosting program for 2026-2027.
This program offers financial support to communities and sports organizations to host national and international amateur competitions, aiming to enhance sports tourism.
Zanth Jarvis, the director of sports tourism at Tourism London, states that this initiative has enabled London to hold several major events like the Brier and the Ontario Summer Games.
“Really this funding is a game changer, to allow us to bid and host different events, and we’re competing against other cities and other provinces and other countries, that all have similar programs, and so without this funding, we would not be able to host the number of events that we do host.” says Jarvis about the funding the program provides.
This program has been active since 2018 and allocates an annual investment of $3 million from the Ontario government.
On average, it attracts around 9,500 amateur athletes, 3,000 volunteers, and 100,000 local supporters to Ontario each year.
Outside the Canada Life Place building (via XFM Noah Paradis)
The initiative helps communities by drawing visitors into Ontario and boosting the local economy through various businesses.
“These investments allow us to bring in these events and the resulting tourism gains that are associated that fill our hotels, our restaurants, all of our tourism attractions.” says Jarvis regarding how this program impacts London’s community.
In a press release, the Ontario government mentions “The program has supported over 230 events since 2018, contributing approximately $220 million to Ontario’s economy.”
The benefits extend beyond just tourism and economic factors; according to the Ontario government “By helping communities host these events, the program not only drives economic activity and boosts local tourism but it also gives Ontario athletes the elite-competition experience they need to excel on the world stage right here at home.”
Even though this program isn’t new-it’s been running for more than five years-Jarvis emphasizes that ongoing funding isn’t guaranteed.
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