Waterloo Region to Host 2026 Ontario Summer Games with $1.6M Provincial Boost
WATERLOO — The Ontario Summer Games are coming back to Waterloo Region in 2026, marking the first time the area has hosted the multi-sport event in more than two decades. The provincial government announced Thursday it is investing $1.6 million to support the Games, which are expected to bring over 4,000 participants and generate more than $6 million in economic impact.
The 2026 Games will feature up to 24 sports, including baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and triathlon, welcoming athletes aged 12 to 18 from across Ontario. Hosted in partnership by Explore Waterloo Region, the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo, and private partners, the Games are poised to drive both tourism and community engagement.
“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,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport.
The 2026 Ontario Summer Games are heading to Waterloo Region!
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.
Great to be at @UWaterloo with… pic.twitter.com/vooEWlxGiz
— Neil Lumsden (@NeilLumsdenMPP) April 10, 2025
It’s a long-awaited return for the region, which last hosted the Ontario Summer Games in 2002. Local officials see the event as a major opportunity to not only promote athletic excellence but also to demonstrate the region’s ability to deliver high-profile events.
Allister Scorgie, Director of Sport Hosting at Explore Waterloo Region, said the community is eager to welcome athletes and their supporters, emphasizing the legacy benefits of hosting such an event, including volunteer engagement and sport tourism development.
Waterloo Region recently hosted the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games in 2024 and has developed a reputation for delivering well-run, inclusive sporting events. With support from Queen’s Park, local leaders are celebrating what they see as a win for the region’s economy, hospitality industry, and youth sport development.
Local MPPs echoed those sentiments in statements praising the government’s investment, with Cambridge MPP Brian Riddell highlighting the Games as a chance to showcase the region’s beauty and hospitality, and Kitchener South—Hespeler MPP Jess Dixon calling it “a great investment for our region.”
The Ontario Summer Games are held every two years and are considered a stepping stone for young athletes preparing for national and international competition, including the Canada Games and the Olympics.
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