Ontario Summer Games: Events, Sports How to Join
The Ontario Summer Games bring together talented young athletes from across the province in a celebration of sports excellence and community spirit. Just recently, the London 2024 Ontario Summer Games, presented by London Hydro, wrapped up after four days of competition. Looking ahead, Waterloo Region will host the 2026 games.
We’re excited to share with you all the details about these games – from their history and significance to practical information about both recent and upcoming events. Whether you’re an athlete hoping to compete in future summer games in Ontario, a parent supporting a participant, or simply a fan of youth sports, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.
Key Facts
This quick snapshot gives you a fast overview of the summer games in Ontario:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First held | 1970 (Etobicoke) |
| Frequency | Every 2 years |
| Age group | 12–18 years |
| Events per edition | 18–24 sports |
| Organized by | Games Ontario (Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport) |
| Typical participants | 3,500–4,000 |
| Volunteers | 500+ |
| Past hosts | London, Sudbury, Ottawa, Kitchener, etc. |
| Economic impact | $5M–$6M+ per event |
About the Ontario Summer Games
The Ontario Summer Games (OSG) aren’t just about medals. They’re meant to give young athletes a chance to grow, compete, and connect – with their sport, their teammates, and the wider community. It’s also a great boost for local tourism and pride.
The event is run by Games Ontario, part of the provincial government’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Sports are organized with help from Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), and cities have to bid to host the Games. Each edition is unique, shaped by the people and places behind it.
And if you’ve seen a spiky little mascot at the games – that’s PACHI, the porcupine. He represents four values: inspiration (red), opportunity (green), community (blue), and inclusion.
Jan Liggett, Mayor of Cambridge, described the upcoming 2026 Games as:
“Ontario Games provide an exciting opportunity to celebrate athletic excellence and strengthen community spirit. Hosting events of this magnitude brings meaningful economic benefits and leaves a legacy of community pride.”
Past Editions
The Ontario Summer Games began in 1970 in Etobicoke. Since then, they’ve grown into a major youth event. Here’s a quick look at some past editions:
| Year | Host City | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Windsor | |
| 2016 | Mississauga | |
| 2018 | London | |
| 2020 | London | Cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| 2022 | Mississauga | Returned after the pandemic |
| 2024 | London | See full summary below |
| 2026 | Waterloo Region | Scheduled |
London 2024 Ontario Summer Games
- 📅 Dates: August 1–4, 2024
- 📍 Location: London, Ontario
- 🎤 Presented by: London Hydro
- 🧑🤝🧑 Participants: Over 3,500 (2,500 youth athletes aged 12–18)
- 🏅 Sports: 18 events across 21 venues
- ️️#️⃣Hashtag: #OSG2024
The London 2024 Ontario Summer Games presented by London Hydro took place August 1-4, with over 3,500 participants including 2,500 youth athletes aged 12-18.
Key competition venues included Western Alumni Stadium (which hosted both Athletics and the Opening Ceremony), Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre at Fanshawe College for Basketball, and Huron Flats for the debut of Flag Football. Some events extended beyond city limits, with Triathlon taking place at St. Marys Quarry and Sailing at Port Stanley.
The 2024 opening ceremony at Western Alumni Stadium was spectacular, featuring JUNO winner Rêve, local Indigenous performers Drives the Common Man and Eagle Flight Singers, plus an appearance by Miranda Ayim, who carried Canada’s flag at the Tokyo Olympics.
As London Mayor Josh Morgan put it during the ceremony:
“London is incredibly excited to be welcoming the Ontario Summer Games to our City. We are happy to host thousands of athletes and their families here in our city as they showcase their incredible talents and experience what London has to offer.”
The medals were something special too. Local artist Cheryl Radford designed them with London-inspired elements: the Thames River, “Forest City” trees, and the city skyline.
Thanks to London Hydro and other sponsors, all London Summer Games events were free to watch. Tourism London estimates the economic boost at over $5 million, with visitors exploring London Ontario sports venues and local attractions between competitions.
2026 Ontario Summer Games in Waterloo Region
- 📅 Dates: July 30 – August 2, 2026
- 📍 Location: Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge
- 👥 Expected Participants: About 4,000
- 💰 Projected Economic Impact: Over $6 million
- 🏦 Funding: $1.6 million from the Ontario government
Looking for the next summer games to get excited about? Mark your calendars for July 30 to August 2, 2026, when the Waterloo Region hosts the Ontario Summer Games. This marks the region’s triumphant return as host after a 24-year break.
The Ontario government has invested $1.6 million in this event, expecting it to generate more than $6 million for the local economy. Around 4,000 participants will gather in the tri-cities to compete in up to 24 sports.
Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, shared his enthusiasm:
“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. 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.”
What makes these games special is the collaboration between Explore Waterloo Region, the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge, plus Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo.
Planning is already underway, as Allister Scorgie, who chairs the organizing committee, explains:
“We’re going to need a ton of volunteers. 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.”
Sports at the Ontario Summer Games
The Ontario Summer Games feature more than 15 different sporting events for young athletes. Here’s a quick overview of the key sports you’ll find at these Games:
Athletics
Athletics competitions include track and field events for U14, U16, and Para divisions, held at university-grade facilities with professional timing systems. Events feature sprints, distance races, jumps, throws, and relays supervised by Athletics Ontario.
Basketball
Basketball tournaments showcase U14 teams in both men’s and women’s divisions, competing across three days in multi-court college or university facilities. The Ontario Basketball Association structures these events to give young players valuable tournament experience.
Triathlon
Triathlon events cater to athletes aged 15-16, featuring both individual Super Sprint races (300m swim, 5km bike, 1.5km run) and Mixed Team Relays. Qualification happens through designated races in the year preceding the Games, with Triathlon Ontario managing the process.
Soccer
Soccer at the Ontario Summer Games features youth teams competing in tournament-style play across multiple fields and venues. The Ontario games in 2024 used both City Wide Sports Park and North London Athletic Fields for matches, providing professional-quality playing surfaces for promising young athletes.
Rugby
Rugby is part of the team sports lineup, typically featuring U16 boys’ and girls’ sevens competition. Games follow a short-format structure (7 players per side, shorter halves) and are held over multiple days at dedicated rugby or multi-use fields. Rugby Ontario oversees selection, training, and safety standards, helping young athletes develop in a competitive but controlled environment.
Other Sports
How to Qualify: Info for Athletes
Getting a spot in the Ontario Summer Games isn’t like joining a school tournament. It’s a competitive process handled by each Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). Every sport has its own selection criteria, event calendar, and eligibility rules.
In general, here’s how qualification works:
- PSO-run selection: Each sport’s PSO (e.g., Athletics Ontario, Triathlon Ontario) oversees selection – event dates, standards, and team sizes.
- Qualifying competitions: Most athletes compete in regional/provincial qualifiers, usually in spring or early summer before the Games.
- Age categories: Typically for youth aged 12–18. Some sports may include Para divisions with different eligibility.
- Zone-based teams: Many sports divide Ontario into zones; athletes usually represent their home or training zone.
- Declarations & registration: Athletes typically submit a declaration form in advance with recent performance info.
- Membership & certification: PSO membership and specific certifications (e.g., draft-legal status) may be required.
- Wild card selections: Unfilled spots in some zones may open to wild card athletes from other regions.
Tips for Aspiring Participants
If you’re aiming to take part in the next summer games in Ontario, here are some key steps:
- Contact your sport’s PSO – they publish qualification criteria and event schedules.
- Check your age group eligibility for the current Games cycle.
- Register early for selection meets or trials.
- Track deadlines – late entries are usually not accepted.
- Ask about financial or travel support, especially if you’re from a remote area.
Be Part of the Action: Volunteer with the Games
These Ontario games simply couldn’t happen without volunteers. Each event needs over 500 helpers to keep things running smoothly, with opportunities available in sport-specific roles, athlete support, medical services, transportation, media operations, and event management.
For the 2026 Games, volunteer recruitment is already underway. If you’d like to get involved, you can sign up through the Explore Waterloo Region website’s sports hosting page.
As Zanth Jarvis from Tourism London said of the recent games: “We look forward to showcasing the outstanding hospitality of our community while providing an incredible athlete experience.” Volunteers are absolutely central to making that experience possible.
Related Events in Canada
The Ontario Summer Games are part of a bigger picture of youth multi-sport events across Canada:
Canada Games
Canada’s top national multi-sport event, alternating between Summer (since 1969) and Winter Games (since 1967) every two years. Provincial and territorial teams compete, with Ontario often leading in summer medals and Quebec in winter. The next edition is the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
BC Games
Launched in 1977, BC’s Summer and Winter Games rotate between cities across eight zones. They feature 17+ summer and 19+ winter sports and help prepare Team BC for the Canada Games.
Saskatchewan Games
Since 1972, these biennial games include nine regions and focus on small community hosts. In 2026, Flying Dust First Nation and Meadow Lake will co-host—an event first.
Manitoba Games
Running since 1974, these games feature six regions and rotate across the province. Organized by Sport Manitoba, they support athlete and coach development.
Quebec Games (Jeux du Québec)
Founded in 1970, this system includes 19 regions and alternates winter and summer editions annually since 2009. Montreal 2016 saw 3,700 athletes, matching major international events in scale.
For More Details and Updates
We’ve put together this list of trusted sources to help you dive deeper into official updates and opportunities related to the Ontario Summer Games:
- Ontario Summer Games – Official Government Page
- Waterloo Region Selected to Host 2026 Ontario Summer Games (Official News)
- Explore Waterloo Region – Volunteer and Hosting Updates
This website is an independent informational resource created to help readers understand the Ontario Summer Games. We are not affiliated with Games Ontario, the Ministry of Sport, or any organizing body. For official schedules, policies, and updates, please visit the Games Ontario website.Want more updates like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for future coverage, athlete interviews, and real stories from youth sports across Ontario.