Alberta to host 12 championship sporting events before end of summer

The Edmonton Jr. Oilers defeated the Saskatoon Stars to win gold at the 2025 Esso Cup on April 25, 2025. (Courtesy: Heather Pollock, Hockey Canada Images)

The province is getting ready to kick off the season of championship sporting events over the next three months.

Alberta will host 12 events across the province, with seven national and five international events being held before the end of summer.

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The Government of Alberta spent more than $1.2 million in grant funding from the Major Sport Event Program to bring more sporting events to the province, saying each event will inject millions into local economies.

“Hosting major sporting events in our province is about more than the competition – it’s about building on our province’s reputation as a premier destination, providing opportunities for local athletes and driving economic growth,” said Joseph Schow, Alberta’s minister of tourism and sport.

The grant provides up to $250,000 for organizers to help cover rental costs, venue upgrades and promotional and marketing materials.

“The events are great ways to showcase Edmonton’s vibrancy, celebrate athletic talent and gather community,” said Traci Bednard, the CEO of Explore Edmonton.

“Major sporting events are an economic driver that demonstrate the incredible impact of the visitor economy, drawing people to Edmonton who support our hotels, restaurants, cultural experiences and attractions,” she added.

The 2025 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships is underway at the Edmonton EXPO Centre where more than 40,000 athletes, or 1,500 teams, will compete for first place.

According to the province’s Monday news release, the volleyball championships alone are projected to bring in $53 million into the province’s economy.

The province said more funding for sporting events will be announced in the coming months.

Here are the championship events coming to Alberta before end of summer:

• 2025 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships from May 9 to 25 in Edmonton;
• 2025 Open National Championships for judo starting May 15 to 18 in Calgary;
• 2025 Canmore Canada Cup for mountain biking starting June 11 to 14 in Canmore, Alta.;
• World Athletics Silver Continental Tour, an Edmonton Athletics Invitational runs from June 13 to 14 in Edmonton;
• North American Cup Series for climbing is being held June 20 to 22 in Edmonton;
• 2025 Speedo Junior Elite National Championships for diving starts July 17 until 21 in Edmonton;
• 2025 U18 Women’s Football National Championship runs July 17 to 26 in Calgary;
• FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series for basketball from July 25 to 27 in Edmonton;
• FIBA 3x3 World Tour for basketball from July 25 to 27 in Edmonton;
• 2025 IPSC Canadian Handgun Nationals starts July 28 to Aug. 3 in Taber, Alta.; and
• IWWF Under 21 World Waterski Championships from July 31 to Aug. 3 in Foothills, Alta.

The 2025 Esso Cup was held in Lloydminster last month where the Oilers U18 Women’s team took home gold after beating the Saskatoon Stars 7 - 3.