Major Sport Events

Major Sport Events Grant Program

Fall Application Now Open

Application Deadline: December 19, 2025

Overview

The Major Sport Events grant program (MSE) builds on Alberta’s reputation as an attractive destination with proven capacity for hosting a wide range of national and international sport events. It recognizes the network of strong sport organizations who demonstrate the ability to collaborate and deliver high quality events.

The program provides support funding to eligible non-profit organizations to host world class national and international sport events in Alberta. The program focuses on hosting single sport events such as world championships, world cups and national championships.

  Major Sport Events Grant Program
Funding Range Up to $250,000
Maximum funding from all sources of the Government of Alberta cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total event cost.
Application Deadlines Intake One:  CLOSED
Intake Two:  OPEN
Final grant decision can take up to 4 months.
Applications Organizations may submit applications for multiple events
Each event should be submitted separately
Applications are non-transferable

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be sanctioned by their respective national sport organization and/or international sport federation to host a proposed event in a fair, safe, and responsible manner, and in accordance with the rules and standards of the sport set by the national sport organization and/or international sport federation.

Applicants must be in good standing with Alberta Corporate Registries. To verify your status, click here.

Applicants registered under Federal Legislation. To verify your status, click here.

Organizations must also not have overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by the Government of Alberta

Eligible applicants include First Nations, Métis Settlements, and non-profit organizations that have been registered, and in good standing, for more than two years under one of the following Acts: 

Provincial Legislation

  • Business Corporations Act, Part 21
  • Companies Act, Part 9
  • Societies Act
  • Special Act of the Alberta Legislature

Federal Legislation

  • Special Act of the Parliament of Canada
  • Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
  • Income Tax Act

Ineligible Applicants

  • Individuals
  • Municipalities
  • Agricultural societies
  • For-profit organizations
  • Post-secondary Institutions as defined under Alberta's Post-secondary Learning Act
  • Foundations established and regulated under Alberta's Regional Health Authorities Act
  • Non-profit organizations that primarily support private sector, profit-oriented, interests
  • Other organizations not registered under one of the acts listed in "Eligible Applicants"
  • Organizations with overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by Government of Alberta

Eligible Events

World class national and international events (and venues) that ensure a fair, safe, and responsible competition, in accordance with the rules and standards of the sport as set by the national sport organization and/or international sport federation, subject to the criteria outlined in “Ineligible Events.”

Event Type Requirements
National Events Events must be sanctioned by a sport organization listed in Appendix 1 of the Major Sport Events Grant Program Guidelines.

National Events must include representation from no fewer than six provinces/territories including Alberta as a stand-alone competitor. Representation from an international contingent may substitute as a province to meet the minimum representation requirement.

OR

For events that are National Championships for a specific sport, in a specific age group confirmed by the sport organization listed in Appendix 1 in the Major Sport Events Grant Program Guidelines. Alberta should be represented as a stand-alone competitor in these championships.
International Events Events that are sanctioned by an international sport federation, as per the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and/or Pan-American Sport Association.

AND

International Events must include representation from no fewer than three countries, including Canada and one country from outside of North America.

Ineligible Events

  • Events still in the bidding process
  • National or international events not meeting the eligibility requirements as stipulated in "Eligible Events"
  • Conferences, congresses, symposiums, expos, or meetings
  • Sport development/training camps
  • Events hosted prior to the application deadline
  • Events and/or festivals that are provincial, regional, or local
  • Events that are organized for or delivered by private, for-profit organizations
  • Elementary, junior high, and high school sport championships
  • National and international events that include biologically male athletes in female-only classes or divisions
    • Note: For clarity, in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between this criterion and the rules and standards set by the applicable national sport organization and/or international sport federation, this criterion will govern for the purposes of determining event eligibility.
  • Professional events
    • Events with athletes being paid a salary or an appearance fee, regardless of performance are considered professional events for the purpose of this program.
    • The event must be restricted to athletes who meet amateur status criteria as defined by the relevant sport’s governing (sanctioning) body.

How to Apply

Read the 2025 MSE Grant Program Guidelines and Submission Page for complete criteria and details.

   

Application Deadline: December 19, 2025

Contact

Connect with the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Branch office if you have any questions: 

Email: [email protected]