Part of Grant programs

Major Sport Event Grant Program

Provides community organizations an opportunity to build upon Alberta’s strengths for hosting national and international events.

Important dates

Grant application open

  • Application intake 1 open: February 12, 2025
  • Application deadline: April 1, 23:59 MT

Overview

The Major Sport Events (MSE) Grant Program builds on Alberta’s reputation as an attractive destination with proven capacity for hosting a wide range of national and international calibre 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 nonprofit 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.

Grant details

Funding range

  • Up to $250,000
  • Maximum funding from all sources of the Government of Alberta cannot exceed 50% of the total event cost.

Application deadlines

  • Intake 1: Deadline, April 1, 2025
  • Intake 2: fall 2025 (TBA)

Final grant decision can take up to 4 months. Formal grant agreement will be provided upon approval.

Applications

  • Organizations may submit applications for multiple events
  • Each event must be submitted separately
  • Applications are non-transferrable

Matching requirement

  • Applicant must cover 50% of the total event cost from non-Alberta government revenue and contribution sources.

Grant guidelines

Event completion and financial reporting 

See requirements in the grant agreement. 

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants include First Nations, Metis Settlements, and non-profit organizations that have been registered, and in good standing, for more than 2 years under one of the following acts:

  • provincial legislation
    • Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act – Extra-Provincial Corporations
    • Companies Act, Part 9 (non-profit companies)
    • 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 (Charities)

Ineligible applicants

  • agricultural societies
  • municipalities
  • for-profit organizations
  • individuals
  • universities, colleges, and institutes as defined under Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act
  • non-profit organizations that primarily support private sector, profit-oriented, interests
  • other organizations not registered under one of the acts listed above
  • organizations that have overdue or incomplete accounting or reporting relating to any grant previously awarded by Government of Alberta
  • foundations established and regulated under the province’s Regional Health Authorities Act

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 or International Federations.

See the grant guidelines for criteria and details.

Contact

Connect with the Sport Physical Activity and Recreation branch if you have questions:
Email: [email protected]