Sport Event Hosting
Thunder Bay is the birthplace of hundreds or professional athletes, Olympians, and championship winning teams over the city’s history, Thunder Bay is truly Sports Central.
Why Thunder Bay?
Thunder Bay offers excellent sports facilities, recreation facilities, banquet facilities, group transportation, and affordable accommodations, making it an ideal destination for athletes and sport enthusiasts alike. With a friendly and accessible environment, visitors can enjoy Northern hospitality where athletes are the focus. Our skilled volunteers and passionate spectators create an inspiring atmosphere that enhances every event, ensuring a memorable experience for all.
More reasons to pick Thunder Bay for your next event:
Financial Incentive
Tourism Thunder Bay offers financial inventive to bring your event here by providing funding
through the CEDC Tourism Event Funding. The CEDC Tourism Event Fund will fund up to a maximum of $50,000 or 25% of your total event budget.
Expertise in Hosting
With venues capable of hosting sporting events and tournaments of all kinds – hockey, baseball, curling, golf, basketball, disc golf – you name it, and Thunder Bay is ready to host your next event or tournament.
The city hosts many championship events each year and has a very successful history of sport event hosting. Recent successes include
- 2026 USPORTS Wrestling Canada Lutte Championships
- 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
- 2024 Ontario Winter Games
- 2023 All-Ontario U13AAA Hockey Championships
- 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games
After the Game
Whether experiencing the local art scene, dining at award-winning restaurants, relaxing in one of our many parks and green spaces, setting sail on Lake Superior, hiking to one of the highest points in Ontario or just enjoy the unparalleled scenic views, everyone involved in your event will love their time in Thunder Bay.Â
Bid Assistance
Tourism Thunder Bay and the City of Thunder Bay encourages and assists community sport groups with bids for championship events. We can assist with bid strategy, bid documents, presentations and displays. Financial assistance for bidding costs may also be provided through the Event Development Grant.
Your community sport organization should consider hosting a championship event in Thunder Bay to:
- Bring recognition, volunteers and participants to your sport and organization
- Maximize the potential for local athletes and save on travel costsÂ
- Develop or improve facilities or infrastructure for your sport
- Benefit our city through improved quality of life and economic development
- Build spirit and pride in our community
- Attract regional, national or international media coverage
- Generate revenue for your organization
- Provide sporting officials opportunities to improve their qualifications
Contact Us
Contact:
Ally Drombolis
Tourism Development Officer
Cell: (807) 621-4257
Email:Â ally.drombolis@thunderbay.ca
