Known for world-class venues and drawing sport tourism, Calgary and Edmonton prepare to host three major sport competitions this week. The 2026 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships, Canadian Open Judo Championships and Karate Canada Junior National Championships will bring athletes, coaches and families from across the country, driving hotel stays and visitor spending while showcasing Alberta as a first-round pick for high-performance sport events.
Alberta’s government is investing over $430,000 through the Major Sport Events grant program to support the three national championships. The grant program provides financial assistance to support local sport organizations and communities across the province in planning and hosting national and international sporting events.
“I am proud to support major sport events that bring people together, inspire young athletes and showcase our cities on the national stage. Both Calgary and Edmonton are among the top 100 sport cities in the world, we look forward to welcoming all competitors to experience our western hospitality and all that Alberta has to offer. Good luck to all our Alberta athletes!”
From May 14 to 31, Calgary will host the 2026 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships at the BMO Centre. The event is expected to attract more than 50,000 athletes, coaches, referees and spectators and generate an estimated $68 million in economic impact. Alberta’s government is investing $250,000 through the Major Sport Events grant program to support delivery of the championships. More than 1,487 teams will compete across four tournaments, with athletes ranging from U14 to U18 gaining valuable high-performance competition experience.
Calgary will also host the 2026 Canadian Open Judo Championships from May 14 to 17 at the Olympic Oval. The country’s largest annual judo competition will bring more than 1,200 participants to the city, featuring over 160 Alberta athletes, as they compete across multiple age divisions for national titles and national team selection opportunities. The event is expected to drive more than $6.27 million in economic impact and is supported by a $90,000 investment from Alberta’s government through the Major Sport Events grant program.
“Volleyball Canada is proud to bring the Youth National Championships back to Alberta and to provide young athletes from across the country with the opportunity to compete at a high level in a memorable championship environment. Support from the Government of Alberta plays an important role in making this event possible, while also creating meaningful economic and community impact for the province and helping grow the sport of volleyball in Canada.”
“Judo Canada is thrilled to bring the 2026 Open National Championships to Calgary, where athletes, coaches and officials from across the country will come together to celebrate excellence in judo. The Government of Alberta’s support has been instrumental in making this event possible, and will help create a lasting impact for the local community while providing an unforgettable national championship experience.”
Edmonton will welcome the 2026 Karate Canada Junior National Championships, taking place from May 15 to 17 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. About 626 athletes, including 71 Albertans, will compete in kata and kumite across U14, Cadet and Junior divisions. The championships are expected to generate $3.2 million in economic impact and received an investment of $93,651 from Alberta’s government through the Major Sport Events grant program. This event will give the opportunity to compete for sports for the top karateka to represent Canada at international competitions.
“The Karate Canada Junior National Championships represent the future of our sport, and returning to Alberta is a testament to this province's outstanding and ongoing leadership in building a lasting legacy for amateur sport in Canada. The contributions of the Alberta government signal to every young athlete on that mat that their dedication is valued, and their potential is limitless. Karate Canada and Karate Alberta greatly appreciate this partnership and are excited for what this event will mean for the growth of karate across the country.”
For organizers interested in hosting a major sport event in Alberta, applications for the 2026 Major Sport Events grant program are now open until June 1.
Quick facts
- 2026 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships – May 14-31, Calgary
- 2026 Canadian Open Judo Championships – May 14-17, Calgary
- 2026 Karate Canada Junior National Championships – May 15-17, Edmonton
Related information
- 2026 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships
- 2026 Canadian Open Judo Championships
- 2026 Karate Canada Junior National Championships
- Major Sport Events Grant Program