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Football Ontario Launches Call for Bids for National Championship Events (2027–2029)

by | Apr 1, 2026 | Press Releases | 0 comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hamilton, Ontario – April 1, 2026

Football Ontario Launches Call for Bids for National Championship Events (2027–2029)

Football Ontario is pleased to officially launch its National Event Hosting Call for Bids for the 2027, 2028, and 2029 Football Canada national championships.

The organization is inviting municipalities, tourism organizations, post-secondary institutions, and sport facility partners to submit proposals to host one or more of the following premier events:

  • 2027 – U18 Women’s National Tackle Championship
  • 2028 – U16 Eastern Challenge
  • 2029 – U18 Canada Cup + U16 Eastern Challenge

These events represent the highest level of amateur football competition in Canada and will bring together elite athletes, coaches, and officials from across the country.

The full bid document can be viewed here: BID DOCUMENT

A Major Opportunity for Communities Across Ontario

As the largest Provincial Sport Organization for football in Canada, Football Ontario supports over 30,000 participants annually and has a proven track record of delivering national-level events.

Through this Call for Bids, Football Ontario is seeking a host community partner capable of delivering a world-class experience while benefiting from significant economic and tourism impact.

Across the three-year hosting cycle, projected impacts include:

  • $3.1M – $4.4M in total economic impact
  • 4,300 – 5,500 hotel room nights
  • 6,000 – 8,000 total participants and spectators

In addition, all events will be livestreamed nationally, generating strong digital exposure for host communities.

Flexible Hosting Opportunities

Communities may bid under two options:

  • Option A – Single Event Hosting: Host one event in 2027, 2028, or 2029
  • Option B – Multi-Year Partnership: Host all three events across the full cycle

Football Ontario will lead event operations, including staffing, equipment, and logistics, reducing the burden on host communities while maximizing local impact.

Event Highlights

Each event offers unique value to host partners:

  • The U18 Women’s National Championship continues to grow as a key platform supporting women in sport
  • The U16 Eastern Challenge serves as a critical development pathway for elite youth athletes
  • The Canada Cup is Canada’s premier pre-university football event and a major recruitment showcase for U SPORTS programs

Submission Details

The deadline for bid submissions is:

June 12, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)

Following evaluation and potential site visits, successful host communities will be announced in August 2026.

Interested organizations are encouraged to contact Football Ontario for additional information or to participate in a bidder information session.

About Football Ontario

Football Ontario is the recognized Provincial Sport Organization responsible for the governance and development of amateur football in Ontario. Through leadership, promotion, and programming, Football Ontario is committed to providing inclusive, high-quality football experiences across the province.