March 12, 2026–The very best in Canada’s Sport Tourism industry were honoured during the 2026 PRESTIGE Awards ceremony held on March 11th at Sport Events Congress 2026 in Mississauga. Ten recipients across 10 award categories were recognized.
The PRESTIGE (Program Recognizing Exceptional Sport Tourism Initiatives, Games & Events) Awards, now in their 18th year, have honoured exceptional sport events, people and organizations since their inception in 2007.
2026 SPORT TOURISM CANADA PRESTIGE AWARDS WINNERS
STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year: Group A (Budget of $1M to $10M)
presented by Tourism Calgary
Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2025 – Thunder Bay, ON
STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year: Group B (Budget less than $1M)
presented by Sport Niagara
2025 Canadian Ringette Championships – Ottawa, ON
STC International Sport Event of the Year: Group A (Budget of $2M to $10M)
presented by Air Canada
2025 PwC Tremblant World Cup – Mont-Tremblant, QC
STC International Sport Event of the Year: Group B (Budget less than $2M)
2025 Para Cup – Dawson Creek, BC
STC Sport Event Legacy of the Year
presented by Golf Canada
2025 Canada Games – St. John’s, NL
STC Sport Tourism Volunteer of the Year
presented by Explore Edmonton
Diane Imrie Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2025 Local Host Committee – Thunder Bay, ON
STC Sport Event Partnership of the Year
presented by Visit Mississauga
4 Nations Face-Off – Montréal, QC
STC Sport Tourism Rising Star of the Year
presented by Discover Halifax
Charlotte Nicholson, City of Charlottetown, PEI
STC Sport Tourism Industry Champion
presented by Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale
Paul Burke, City of Thunder Bay, ON
STC Marquee Sport Event of the Year – Budget over $10M
presented by Regina Hotel Association
2025 Canada Games – St John’s, NL
The future of Canada’s sport tourism industry is bright thanks to the many organizations and individuals who dedicate their energy and expertise each year to hosting hundreds of sporting events across the country. Sport Tourism Canada congratulates all recipients on their outstanding achievements.
Source: Sport Tourism Canada
