Get To Know The World-Class Sports Facilities That Call Niagara Home
Hosting the most successful Canada Games in history and over 100 years of Royal Canadian Henley Regattas doesn’t just happen by accident. Niagara’s reputation for hosting world-class sporting events is rooted in a community of passionate volunteers and a network of top-notch sports facilities that ensure athletes participating in tournaments and other large-scale sporting events feel right at home.
Sports facilities that regularly attract teams, leagues, and large-scale sporting events to Niagara include:
Meridian Centre, St. Catharines
This 160,000 sq.ft home of the OHL’s Niagara Icedogs and the Niagara River Lions is Niagara’s largest entertainment facility and has had the honour of hosting major sporting events like the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, IIHF Women's U18 World Championship, FIBA U18 Americas Championship, and the Minto Cup.
Henley Rowing Course, Port Dalhousie
This Class A rowing course has hosted the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta since 1903, and has also been the stage for World Rowing Championships and rowing events for the Pan Am Games.
Canada Games Park, Thorold
The newest recreational sport facility in Niagara is home to facilities that include the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre, consisting of two NHL-sized ice-boxes (one seating approximately 1200, the other about 200), a Sport Performance Centre (6,000 square feet), the Brock-Niagara Health & Well-Being Centre (10,000 square feet), a suspended 200-meter indoor track, sport offices (8,000 square feet), and a multipurpose fieldhouse featuring four gymnasiums that can be configured into a centre court, containing approximately 700 telescoping permanent seats. All are designed to be accessible for parasport. Six competition beach volleyball courts, a cycling pavilion, storage facilities for outdoor sports equipment, and a 400-meter track-and-field facility, one of only five in Canada certified by World Athletics, are located outside the Walker Sports and Abilities Centre.
Welland International Flatwater Centre, Welland
A legacy of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, the Welland International Flatwater Centre consists of a timing tower, an indoor paddle tank and multi-functional modular docking.
Sports tournament and event organizers wanting to learn more about how Niagara venues can play a winning role in an upcoming event can connect with the Sport Niagara team, who can assist with a wide range of support, including project management, marketing and communications, cultural programming, revenue generation, procurement and event logistics, recruiting and training volunteers, and grant submissions.
FAQs
Q: Is Niagara a good destination for hosting large-scale sporting events?
A: Niagara’s world-class sports facilities, network of local experts, and proven track record for hosting events like the Canada Games and Pan Am Games make it a great choice for hosting large-scale sporting events.
Q: What large-scale sporting events have been held in Niagara?
A: In addition to the 2022 Canada Games, the roster of large-scale sporting events in Niagara includes the Ontario Parasport Games, the Pan Am Games, the World Rowing Championships, the FIBA Americas Championship, and more.
Q: Is there a central resource for those considering hosting a large-scale sporting event in Niagara?
A: Sport Niagara supports the attraction and hosting of sport events in Niagara, and promotes sport through various programs focused on advancing high-performance and community sports.
