Ontario Summer Games coming to Waterloo region in 2026

Young athletes from across the province will descend on Waterloo region in the summer of 2026 to compete in the Ontario Summer Games.

The announcement was made Thursday morning in Waterloo by Ontario’s Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden.

“Our government is proud to support Waterloo region’s bid to host the 2026 Ontario Summer Games, and provide Ontario’s athletes with the opportunity to compete with their peers from across the province,” said Minister Lumsden.

 “These games will attract thousands of visitors, driving domestic tourism to the region, boosting the economy and showcasing the fantastic attractions found throughout the area.”

The government has announced $1.6 million in funding for the games. 

That money will be used for upgrading and improving the infrastructure of some venues in the region which local organizers plan to mark as a legacy of the games.

According to government estimates this sporting event will generate an estimated $6 million in domestic tourism revenue for the Region of Waterloo.

Event planning starts now

Allister Scorgie is the director of sport hosting at Explore Waterloo Region, and now chair of the organizing committee of the games. 

He says the preparation for the event starts now.

“The most urgent thing that we need to do is bring people and experts in the various fields on board. So bringing in people to do medical and security and transportation management, volunteers, that’s the most urgent thing,” said Scorgie.

“And then this summer we’ll start to meet with all the sports.”

Scorgie says the province’s ministry of sport will work with all the provincial sports bodies to decide which teams will take part.

But before the sports are decided, Scorgie hopes people in the community will sign up to be a volunteer for the event.

“We’re going to need a ton of volunteers,” said Scorgie.

“So anyone that’s interested in being involved in the games, if that’s with a certain sport, if it’s with athlete housing, if you’re an athletic therapist and you want to help out with medical, where we’re going to need so many hands and so many bodies to help manage such a big event.”

People interested in volunteering can sign up at the Explore Waterloo Region website on the sport hosting page.

The 2026 Ontario Summer Games will be held in Waterloo region from July 30 to Aug. 2. 

Up to 4,000 youth between the ages of 12 and 18 along with their coaches, managers, families and other sporting officials will travel to the area.

The games are held every two years and the Waterloo region version will have 24 sports, including baseball, lacrosse, soccer and rugby.

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