Grande Prairie will welcome 896 athletes, coaches and officials from communities across Canada, showcasing Alberta as a top destination for hosting major national sport events. Alberta’s government provided $58,800 in funding through the Major Sport Events grant program to support the championships.
The grant program provides financial assistance to help Albertan communities host national and international competitions, strengthening Alberta’s reputation as a premier destination for sport tourism. The championships are expected to generate more than $1.2 million in economic impact for the region as participants shop, dine, stay and play locally.
“Our government is proud to support the 2026 Canadian Wrestling Championships in Grande Prairie and we are pleased to welcome this event back to Alberta for a third time. Events like this showcase northern Alberta’s sport community and beautiful landscapes, and leave lasting benefits for local youth clubs and sport programs.”
Organized by the Grande Prairie Sport Hosting Society, the championships will feature 154 Alberta athletes, providing these young competitors with the opportunity to compete for national titles in front of a hometown crowd. The championships will run for three days and feature multiple age groups and weight categories, including Women’s Wrestling, Men’s Freestyle and Greco Roman disciplines for U15, U17 and U19 division wrestling competitions.
“We are proud to welcome the National Youth Wrestling Championships with support from the Government of Alberta’s Major Sport Event Grant program. This event highlights the strength and growing capacity of Alberta’s northern sport communities to host national-level competitions and provides young athletes with the opportunity to compete on a national stage and create lasting memories both on and off the mat.”
Applications for the 2026 Major Sport Events grant program are now open until June 1, for organizers and communities planning to host a major sport event in the province.