FAQ
The Canada Games brings together more than 2,000 able-bodied athletes and athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities for the largest amateur multi-sport event in the country. Alternating between winter and summer, they span over 30 different sports to showcase the very best in Canadian sport and spirit.
The next Canada Summer Games will take place in Niagara Region, Ontario between August 6-21, 2022. More information about the upcoming Games can be found here.
The Provincial and Territorial hosting rotation of the Canada Games is set by Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Sport. Each Province/ Territory has the opportunity to host once in a 13 year cycle, but at times may switch positions within the rotation with another province. Communities within the host P/T are able to bid to host the games through the Canada Games bid process. Bid documents are evaluated in two phases and scored based on criteria outlined in the Bid Process and Hosting Standards Document, with the highest scoring community being awarded the bid.
The key benefits of hosting a Canada Games include the following:
1) new and/or improved facilities;
2) economic impact to the magnitude of $77M+ (2017 Games) and $110M+ (2019 Games) through new spending;
3) increased visibility within Canada as a desirable destination, through media exposure nationally, regionally and locally;
4) new base of volunteers with specific event training;
5) opportunity to demonstrate local arts and culture;
6) community enthusiasm for hosting sport events.
The age categories for each sport for the upcoming Games can be found on this page.
Information about the sports that are currently on the Canada Games program and an overview of how they are selected can be found here.
If you wish to contact your Provincial or Territorial team you can reach out through your Canada Games coach or your Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization.
Athletes at the Canada Games compete for their Province or Territory. As such, individuals are selected to compete by their respective Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO). The Canada Games Council is not responsible for and does not have oversight of the team selection processes within each jurisdiction.
Individuals wishing to be selected to a Provincial/Territorial team should inquire with their respective PTSOs about the team selection process. Depending on the jurisdiction, the selection process for a Canada Games team may begin up to four years in advance of the Games.
Some of the more notable alumni who have competed in the Canada Games include Catriona Le May Doan - Speed Skating, Athletics (1983, 1987, 1993), Sidney Crosby - Hockey (2003), Marie-Philip Poulin - Hockey (2007), Andre De Grasse - Athletics (2013), Kaetlyn Osmond - Figure Skating (2007), Lennox Lewis - Boxing (1983), Patrick Anderson - Wheelchair Basketball (1995), Bridget Carleton - Basketball (2013), Steve Nash - Basketball (1993), Eugenie Bouchard - Tennis (2009), Brian McKeever - Cross-Country Skiing (1999), and Katarina Roxon - Swimming (2005). To find out more about our alumni visit our Athletes page.
Results from the 2007 Games and onwards can be found here.
You can check out our Canada Games store for all your Games merch needs.
Tickets can be purchased through each Host Society’s ticketing agency when available. For tickets to the Niagara 2022 Games click here.
An overview of the sport schedule can be found through our Upcoming Games page.
The broadcast and webcast information can be found on the Upcoming Games page here, and you can check out our previous Games footage through our Canada Games YouTube page.
The Canada Games Council works closely with Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM), Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) and Sport Physiotherapy Canada (SPC) on a national call for a limited number of medical professionals to volunteer at each Canada Games.
Sport officials are selected by each sports National Sport Organization (NSO).
Outside of these programs, there are many opportunities for volunteers to contribute to the Canada Games in medical and sport roles through the general volunteer application process.
Approximately one year before the Games, a Host Society will open their general volunteer application process for Games-time volunteers. Prior to that, Host Societies will post leadership volunteer opportunities through their website. Visit the volunteer page for the 2022 and 2023 Games to find out more.
Each Canada Games depends on thousands of volunteers in order to be successful. Volunteering for the Games gives you a chance to make a positive impact in your community, while helping to ensure that each Games is an incredible experience for the athletes, spectators, and guests who travel from all over Canada to attend. There is a wide variety of volunteer positions available which also gives you a chance to work in your area of expertise or learn something new!
From sport operations to transportation, ticketing, and food services to name a few, the Canada Games require volunteers with a wide variety of skill sets and interests. No matter what type of experience you are trying to gain from the Games, we have a role that can help you fulfill it.
Coaches are selected to coach at the Canada Games by their respective Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO). Depending on the jurisdiction, coaches may be selected up to four years in advance of the Games. The Canada Games Council is not responsible for and does not have oversight of the team selection processes within each jurisdiction.
Individuals interested in being considered for a coaching position at the Canada Games should reach out to their respective PTSO to inquire about opportunities.
Typically, Canada Games coaches have obtained National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Competition - Development Certified status. Minimum requirements for NCCP certification are available within each sports Technical Package.
Sport technical information such as team sizes and athlete eligibility can be found on the Upcoming Games page here.
Results from the 2007 Games and onwards can be found here.
All sport technical packages can be found on the respective sport pages which live here.
Since being implemented in November 2021, the CGC’s vaccination policy has been under continuous review, in consultation with Host Societies, Games stakeholders and regional public health authorities as the pandemic has evolved.
The decision to remove the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy was made in November 2022 following a review of the policy alongside the Chief Public Health Office for Prince Edward Island.
While COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required by CGC for accredited individuals at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, it is strongly recommended.
The Chief Public Health Office of Prince Edward Island has recommended that all participants and attendees should be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination series, including a booster dose within the past 6 months. This recommendation also applies to routine vaccinations and seasonal influenza.
This vaccination policy applied to all accredited individuals attending the 2022 and 2023 Canada Games, including athletes, coaches, managers, technical officials, participant assistants, venue pass holders, mission staff, guests and media.
Individuals should verify with their respective provincial/territorial teams or organizations for any independent policies or requirements that may be in place.
The 2023 Host Society is also removing its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for staff, contractors and volunteers.
These decisions were made based on guidance from the appropriate regional public health authorities.
The policy remained in effect for the 2022 Canada Summer Games based on the recommendation of Niagara Region Public Health, citing the data on COVID-19 detection in Ontario at the time (wastewater surveillance trends showed an increase in COVID-19 detection, indicating a potential increase in infection risk).
The policy is being removed ahead of the 2023 Canada Games after a review alongside the Chief Public Health Office of Prince Edward Island. While COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required by the Canada Games Council for accredited individuals at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, it is strongly recommended.
Attendees of the 2023 Canada Winter Games will be subject to the public health requirements of the Chief Public Health Office of Prince Edward Island, as well as any public health policies of the host venues at the time of the Games.
Individuals should verify with their respective provincial/territorial teams or organizations for any independent policies or requirements that may be in place.
The CGC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the 2023 Host Society and our key stakeholders. The 2023 Host Society is working with the Chief Public Health Office of PEI on infectious disease prevention and control strategies.
The 2023 Canada Games Host Society, CGC, and all Games participants will comply with any applicable requirements, regulations or mandates that may be implemented by the Chief Public Health Office of PEI in order to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone involved and deliver a safe and successful Canada Winter Games in 2023.
