Major Events and Sport Events hosting in Ottawa – Fall 2024

If you're in Ottawa for the World Juniors, don't miss these must-do experiences

Attending the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa? Explore all the unforgettable city experiences you can have while celebrating this iconic sports event on the Major Events and Sport blog.

Canada’s top chefs set to compete in Ottawa at the Canadian Culinary Championship 2025

Ottawa will be the center of Canadian culinary excellence as ten of the nation’s top chefs, including Ottawa’s own Chef Lizardo Becerra of Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine, compete for the prestigious title of Canada’s Culinary Champion.

The first of three final events of the Canadian Culinary Championship kicks off on January 31, 2025, at Rogers Centre Ottawa with the Mystery Wine Pairing, where chefs craft dishes to pair with a secret wine, offering guests a night of gourmet flavors and local beverages.

The excitement continues the morning of February 1 at La Cité College with the Black Box Challenge, a high-pressure event where chefs create two stunning dishes from surprise ingredients. That evening, the Grande Finale returns to Rogers Centre Ottawa, where chefs present their finest creations alongside performances by Johnny Reid and exceptional food and wine pairings.

Ottawa Black Bears make NLL debut

The Ottawa Black Bears played their inaugural home opener in the National Lacrosse League on November 30, 2024, at the Canadian Tire Centre, marking the start of an exciting first season for the franchise.

Ottawa Rapid FC names first head coach

Ottawa Rapid FC has named its first head coach as the team prepares for its debut season in the newly formed Northern Super League (NSL). Women’s professional soccer returns to Ottawa with the club’s official entry into the league, which is set to begin play in April 2025 with six teams competing.

uOttawa hosted Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship

The 2024 Raymond James Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC) took place November 13–17 at Matt Anthony Field, with the Gee-Gees hosting eight teams from across the nation competing for the Spence McTavish Trophy. In a thrilling final, the ÉTS Piranhas defeated Queen’s 23–19 to claim the championship title.

Wheelchair Basketball Canada brings signature fundraiser to Ottawa

In the lead-up to the Ottawa 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, taking place September 9–19, 2026, Hoopfest returned on December 12, 2024, at Collège La Cité.

2024 Hoopfest, Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s signature fundraising event brings corporate and community teams together for a half-day of 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball games, all while raising funds for grassroots programming. Teams of 4–5 players will compete in at least five games, with the event concluding with an awards ceremony and a reception featuring light food and drinks.

With over $100,000 raised to date, Hoopfest supports the life-changing benefits of wheelchair basketball and builds excitement for the 2026 championship. The transformational world championship will welcome 28 teams (16 men’s and 12 women’s), 336 athletes, and 1,200 participants, captivating audiences worldwide and advancing inclusivity through sport.

Team Ottawa Tourism takes the lead at key conferences

The Major Events team wrapped up a busy Q4, attending SPOHOX24 in Charlottetown, PEI, and the Smart Cities & Sport Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. Both conferences offered incredible opportunities to engage with National and International Federation leaders and explore ways to bring established and new sporting events to Ottawa!

• 2024 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Hockey Championship – December 26, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• 2025 Canadian Ringette Championships – March 30-April 5, 2025
• 2025 Volleyball Canada 14U National Championships – May 1-4, 2025
• IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa Triathlon – August 3, 2025
• 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships – September 9-19, 2026

• Sport Events Congress – March 18-20, 2025 in Calgary

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