Did you know that hosting a major sport event has multiple benefits for community sport organizations? Community sport organizations can work with key partners throughout the city as the host organizing committee to bring a major event in their sport to Ottawa. By working with key partners throughout the city, such organizations can raise their profile, improve local infrastructure, and more.
Ottawa has been a proven destination for major sport events for many years, and 2022 was no exception. Last year, major events hosted in Ottawa were successful in large part due to the support of community sport organizations.
For example, the 2022 Canadian Cross Country Championships was hosted with the support of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, as well as Run Ottawa (see more). The fun didn’t stop there, Ottawa was also host to the 2022 Bingham Cup with the support of the Ottawa Wolves and the women’s team came home champions (see more)! Other events hosted included Little League Championships, Ontario Basketball Championships, FIVB Volleyball Nations League, and more!
Why did community sport organizations rally around these marquee events? They get to experience the long-term benefits of hosting a major sport event! These benefits include:
- Sport profile and awareness building – By hosting a major sport event, community sport organizations are opening the door to new participants and volunteers. Attending a major event is a great introduction to a new sport!
- Community and legacy building – Community sport organizations have the opportunity to unlock new capacities at all levels when hosting a major sport event. This includes development of administrators, coaches, officials, and participants by learning from others coming from across Canada or internationally.
- Direct economic impact – Drawing economic benefits from major events is common at the national sport level, but this can also be achieved through partnerships at the community sport level.
- Infrastructure development – Major sport events rights holders look for ways in which they can leave a lasting impact on the community. This can include sport facility upgrades that are used for the event but remain intact for community use when the event is finished.
As community sport organizations reflect on their organizational goals, it is important to consider how hosting a major sport event could be a part of realizing those goals. These goals could include participant recruitment – particularly to reach more diverse participants, volunteer training, infrastructure improvements, and more!
If your community sport organization is considering hosting a major sport event, you don’t have to do it alone! Ottawa Tourism can provide support in several different areas as a “one-stop support service” for event bidding/hosting groups. These services may include:
- Bid development – When a community sport organization is interested in hosting a major sport event, they will need to develop a bid to submit to the event rights holders. Ottawa Tourism can support the development of the bid based on their past experiences and connections.
- Event logistics – Ottawa Tourism has supported countless events hosted in the city, and they have connections to local sport facilities, hotel accommodations/housing options, transportation options, and additional vendors/supplies. Community sport organizations can seek referrals to the necessary supplies and services through Ottawa Tourism.
- Marketing your event – When a sport event has been confirmed, Ottawa Tourism can support the promotion of the event for a community sport organization or host committee. This includes marketing/creative services, public relations, social media, and more!
- Financial support – Ottawa Tourism is offering financial support starting at $25,000 to host your next qualifying major event! This support reduces a financial barrier for community sport organizations who are interested in hosting a major event in Ottawa (see more).
Learn more about the services offered by Ottawa Tourism here.
The Ottawa Sport Council can also offer additional information and support on sport event hosting for community sport organizations. The Ottawa Sport Council hosted a webinar on Bidding and Hosting Sport Events to help you get started and an additional blog post on Sport Event Tourism.
Looking to get inspired to host a major sport event? In 2023, Ottawa will be host to several major sport events including the World Men’s Curling Championship hosted with the support of the Ottawa Valley Curling Association, and the Masters Indigenous Games with the support of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. The fun continues all year long with Ontario Basketball Championships, the Canadian Cross Country Championships, FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League, and so much more!
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