Secretary of State van Koeverden announces support to strengthen sport hosting in Canada

News release

GATINEAU, September 10, 2026

Sport is our ultimate nation-builder; it’s a diplomatic asset, engine of economic growth, and inspires the next generation. As we celebrate Canada’s Year of Sport, we continue to welcome the world and demonstrate we are the best sport-hosting nation.

Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced funding to support a series of international sport events taking place across Canada:

$100,000 to Athletics Canada for the Edmonton Athletics Invitational, which took place in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 12
$50,000 to Cycling Canada for the Tour de Gatineau, taking place in Gatineau, Quebec, on September 16 and 17
$100,000 to Volleyball Canada for the 2026 Men's Continental Championships, taking place in Moncton, New Brunswick, from September 11 to 19
$75,000 to Tennis Canada for the Davis Cup – Canada vs France, taking place in Québec City, Quebec, on September 18 and 19
$150,000 to Cycling Canada for the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, taking place in Québec City on September 11 and in Montréal, Quebec, on September 13

This work is part of the Government of Canada’s historic $1 billion investment in Canadian sport, the largest in our nation’s history, to support Canadian athletes, strengthen sport infrastructure, and increase participation.

Hosting the world’s biggest sporting events, shows the very best of Canada, boosts local tourism, strengthens our economy, and lets us cheer on Canadian athletes, right here at home. It builds on our legacy, brings communities together, and supports the next generation, from playground to podium.

Quotes

“Canada is the best sport-hosting nation in the world. As we celebrate 2026 as Canada’s Year of Sport, we continue to welcome the world, highlighting the very best of Canada, boosting local tourism, strengthening our economy, and cheering on Canadian athletes, right here at home. It builds on our legacy, brings communities together, and supports the next generation, from playground to podium.”

—The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

Quick facts

The Sport Canada Hosting Program supports international sporting competitions in Canada, such as world championships, Olympic and Paralympic qualification events, and world cups.
As the largest supporter of the country’s sport system, the Government of Canada invests in the development of Canadian athletes, the national and multi-sport organizations that support them, and initiatives to host international sport events in Canada.
The Spring Economic Update 2026 provided $755 million over five years, starting in 2026–27, and $118 million ongoing to Canadian Heritage to help Canada's sport system to:

Host and compete with the best: $50 million over five years to bring more world-class sporting events to Canada. Funding will be tied to legacy-building projects that deliver lasting benefits well beyond the events themselves. Facilities built or upgraded for major events will continue to serve communities, support grassroots participation and strengthen local sport systems for years to come.

Support our athletes and the next generation in performing at the highest levels: $45 million over five years and $8 million ongoing to help our athletes train, compete and perform, including support for better mental health and funding that will be linked to robust safe sport measures and frameworks. These actions will strengthen the sport system and respond to some of the findings of the Final Report of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission while the government continues to consider all of its recommendations.

Get more Canadians involved in sport: $660 million over five years and $110 million ongoing for sport organizations, increasing funding that has remained largely unchanged since 2005, so that they can invest in a strong and safe sport system and grow participation among children and youth nationwide. We want sport organizations to work with private sector partners who share the goal of getting more Canadians involved in sport. We also expect sport organizations to make changes to their programming to invest in sport at all levels.

Associated links

Sport Canada Hosting Program

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Bahoz Dara Aziz
Director of Communications
Office of the Secretary of State (Sport)
bahoz.daraaziz@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
media@pch.gc.ca

Page details

2026-09-10

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