Deadline: 13-Jul-2026
The Ontario Sport Hosting Program is a project-based funding initiative that supports the delivery of major national and international amateur sport events across Ontario. It is designed to strengthen the sport ecosystem while generating economic, social, and community benefits.
The program focuses on building long-term sport legacies, increasing participation, and enhancing Ontario’s capacity to host high-quality sporting events.
Program Objectives
The program aims to:
- Support hosting of national and international amateur sport events
- Create long-term sport development legacies in Ontario
- Generate economic benefits through tourism and local spending
- Improve sport infrastructure and community engagement
- Promote volunteerism and community participation in sport
- Increase competition opportunities for Ontario athletes
- Strengthen coaching, officiating, and volunteer development systems
Program Streams
The funding is delivered through three streams:
- Stream 1: Provincial or National Sport Organizations
- Includes organizations recognized under Ontario’s Provincial Sport Recognition Policy
- Includes National Sport Organizations funded by Sport Canada
- Stream 2: Event Host Organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Universities and colleges
- Ontario municipalities
- Indigenous organizations (First Nation, Métis, Inuit communities)
- Stream 3: Emerging Sports
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Municipalities
- Indigenous communities
Funding Amounts
- Stream 3 national events: up to $20,000
- Stream 1 and Stream 2 national events: up to $100,000
- International sport events (Streams 1 and 2): up to $1,000,000
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a legal entity existing for at least one year at the time of application
- Not be in default of any Ontario government grant or loan agreements
- Apply under one of the designated program streams
Eligible applicant types include:
- Sport organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Municipal governments
- Universities and colleges
- Indigenous communities (First Nation, Métis, Inuit)
Event Eligibility Requirements
National sport events must:
- Be sanctioned by a relevant National Sport Organization
- Include participation from at least six provinces or territories, including Ontario
International sport events must:
- Be sanctioned by an International Federation recognized by:
- International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
- Pan American Sport Organization
- Include participation from at least two countries
- Include Canada and at least one country outside North America
- Exceptions may apply for Canadian national team events approved by Sport Canada-funded organizations
Program Benefits
- Strengthens Ontario’s sport hosting capacity
- Enhances community sport participation
- Builds infrastructure and local sport ecosystems
- Creates tourism and economic impact
- Develops athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers
- Promotes inclusive access to sport opportunities
Common Misunderstandings
- It is not general sport funding; it is event-based support
- Not all events are eligible; strict sanctioning rules apply
- Funding levels vary significantly by stream and event type
- International events require formal federation recognition
- Applicants must be pre-established legal entities
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Ontario Sport Hosting Program?
- A funding program that supports hosting of major amateur sport events in Ontario
- Focuses on national and international competitions and sport development
- Who can apply?
- Provincial and national sport organizations
- Not-for-profits, municipalities, universities, colleges
- Indigenous communities
- Applicants must apply under the correct stream
- What is the funding range?
- Up to $20,000 for Stream 3 national events
- Up to $100,000 for Stream 1 and 2 national events
- Up to $1,000,000 for international events
- What types of events are eligible?
- National sport events sanctioned by recognized NSOs
- International events sanctioned by IOC/IPC/recognized federations
- Emerging sport events under Stream 3
- What are key eligibility requirements for applicants?
- Must be a legal entity for at least one year
- Must not be in default with Ontario government funding agreements
- What makes an event “national”?
- Participation from at least six provinces or territories, including Ontario
- Sanctioning by a National Sport Organization
- What makes an event “international”?
- Participation from at least two countries
- Sanctioning by an International Federation recognized by IOC, IPC, or Panam Sports
Conclusion
The Ontario Sport Hosting Program is a structured funding initiative that strengthens sport hosting capacity across Ontario. By supporting national and international events, it drives economic impact, builds community engagement, and enhances long-term sport development systems for athletes, coaches, officials, and communities.
For more information, visit Government of Ontario.