Canada Games: Info for Athletes & Fans
Get the full picture of the Canada Games: athlete selection from Ontario, 2025 St. John’s event details, medal stats, sports, alumni, and how to take part.
About the Canada Games
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport event held every two years. They alternate between Winter and Summer editions and bring together youth and para-athletes from all 13 provinces and territories. Since their beginning in 1967, more than 75,000 athletes have taken part.
The Games include 30+ sports, such as athletics, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and artistic swimming. Events are organized by the Canada Games Council, a non-profit that works with governments and sports bodies across the country.
The goal is to give young athletes the chance to represent their province or territory in a national setting and build toward higher-level competition like world championships or the Olympics.
“The Canada Games gave me my first real experience competing at a national level. It helped shape everything after,” — Andre De Grasse, Canada Games alum (2013)
FAQs
Most are 12 to 25 years old, depending on the sport. Each sport has its own eligibility rules.
Yes, but for amateur Canadian youth and para-athletes, with a focus on development and community legacy.
Yes. As long as they meet the age and eligibility rules for a future edition, athletes can return to compete again. Some have even competed in both Summer and Winter Games.
Yes. The Canada Games include events for para-athletes and Special Olympics athletes in selected sports, making the Games inclusive at all levels of competition.
They do. Each Canada Games sets up a Games Village, often using local university dorms or residences. Athletes live together, which helps build team spirit and a national sports community.
Most costs, like travel, meals, uniforms, and accommodations, are covered by the province or territory. Some athletes may have to pay small fees to their local sports organization.
Each province and territory has a Mission Team, made up of staff and volunteers who handle logistics, travel, uniforms, health support, and communication for their delegation during the Games.
How Ontario Athletes Qualify
Ontario athletes must be selected by their Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). Each sport in Ontario has its own PSO, such as Athletics Ontario or Ontario Basketball.
Many athletes begin their journey through the Ontario Summer Games, where youth aged U14–U18 get experience in a multi-sport environment. These early events are often used by coaches and PSOs to spot talent for future national competitions.
Most sports rely on season rankings, tryouts, or development camps. Athletes who perform well in provincial competitions may receive invitations to Team Ontario selection events for the Canada Games.
Coaches also need to meet national standards. Many must be certified at Competition – Development level through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Some sports begin their selection process up to four years before the Games. That means planning early is important, especially for Olympic pathway sports like swimming or athletics.
💡 Tip: To be considered for Team Ontario, contact your PSO early and stay active in their provincial events.
St. John’s 2025 Overview
The 2025 Canada Summer Games will take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from August 8 to 25, 2025. More than 4,000 athletes, coaches, and staff will compete over two weeks.
Sports in 2025 will include:
Spectators are welcome. Many competitions offer free entry, while ceremonies and select events may require paid tickets. More details will be posted closer to the Games on the host site.
How to stay updated:
- 📱 Download the official Canada Games App
- 🗓️ View the event schedule at canadagames.ca
Québec City 2027
The next Canada Games after 2025 will be the 2027 Canada Winter Games, held in Québec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027. This marks a return to the birthplace of the first Canada Games, originally held in Québec in 1967. Winter sports like alpine skiing, hockey, speed skating, curling, and more will be featured. Planning for provincial team selection will begin well ahead of the event.
Ontario Medal Stats
Ontario has led the medal count in almost every Summer Games edition, making it the most successful team in Canada Games history. Ontario had only missed topping the summer medal table once – in 1973, when British Columbia came out ahead.
| Province | Total Medals | Summer 🥇 | Winter 🥇 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 3,538 | 849 | 496 |
| Quebec | 3,201 | 485 | 691 |
| BC | 2,451 | 508 | 284 |
Famous Canada Games Alumni
Many elite Canadian athletes started their careers at the Canada Games. Some began even earlier at the Ontario Summer Games.
Here are a few notable names:
- Andre De Grasse – Track & Field (Canada Games 2013)
- Sidney Crosby – Hockey (2003)
- Eugenie Bouchard – Tennis (2009)
- Steve Nash – Basketball (1993)
- Katarina Roxon – Swimming (2005)
- Marie-Philip Poulin – Hockey (2007)
These athletes have since gone on to represent Canada in world championships, Olympics, and professional leagues.
“The Games are more than medals. They connect athletes across the country and shape who we become.” — Marie-Philip Poulin
Want to Participate? Here’s How
If you’re an athlete
- Join a local club connected to your sport’s Ontario PSO.
- Stay active in provincial competitions and attend tryouts or development camps.
- Make sure you meet age and performance criteria, which vary by sport.
- Keep up with sport-specific technical packages and eligibility documents.
If you’re a coach
- Must meet NCCP certification standards (usually Competition – Development).
- Apply through your sport’s PSO.
- Selection often happens 1–2 years before the Games.
If you want to volunteer
- Around 5,000 volunteers will be needed for the 2025 Games.
- Roles include ticketing, media, transport, sports support, and medical aid.
- Applications for general volunteers usually open one year before the Games.
- Leadership volunteer roles may open earlier on the host city website.
Watch, Support, and Follow
You don’t need to be on the field to be part of the Games. Here’s how you can follow and support:
- 📺 Watch live and past events at https://www.canadagames.ca/video-archive
- 📸 Follow on social media – Instagram, YouTube: @canadagames
- 🎟️ Get tickets to ceremonies and headline sports via the St. John’s 2025 Host Site
Resources & Links
- Official Canada Games Website:
- Team Ontario Info:
- 2025 Technical Sport Packages:
- 2025 Volunteer Info:
- Canada Games Medal Results:
Final Word
The Canada Games are where provincial pride meets national opportunity. For Ontario athletes, they’re often the first true test outside the local scene – a chance to measure up against peers from across the country.
But this isn’t just about medals. It’s about gaining real experience: travelling as a team, competing under pressure, learning from setbacks, and building habits that last well beyond sport.
If you’re serious about progressing in your sport – or simply want to be part of something that brings people together through competition – the Canada Games are worth following, supporting, or working toward. Ontario has a strong track record here. The next step is yours.