WINNER
2025 Canadian Ringette Championships Named STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year (Group A)
The 2025 Canadian Ringette Championships in Ottawa, Ontario was named the Sport Tourism Canada Canadian Sport Event of the Year (Group B) at the 2026 PRESTIGE Awards, recognizing excellence in events with budgets less than $1 million.
Hosted from March 30 to April 5, 2025, the championships brought 1,214 athletes, coaches, and officials to the National Capital Region for a week of elite competition and community celebration. The event welcomed more than 10,400 spectators, creating one of the most successful and well-attended championships in the sport’s history.
The championship represented a historic milestone for ringette in Canada. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, attended the event to present the new National Ringette League championship trophy. The trophy is the first in Canadian sport to feature an inscription in Inuktitut alongside English and French, symbolizing a commitment to unity and reconciliation.
Nationally, the tournament delivered significant media reach and visibility. Medal games were broadcast on CBC Sports, while every game was available via live stream, ensuring fans across the country could follow the action. The event also generated more than $3.2 million in economic activity for the region, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
Community support played a central role in the event’s success. A dedicated team of 215 volunteers contributed approximately 5,500 hours to ensure a seamless experience for participants and visitors. Strong partnerships with Ottawa Tourism and local vendors reinforced Ottawa’s reputation as a premier host for major national sporting events.
The championships also focused on long-term growth and inclusion. By providing high-performance pathways for athletes and officials, and through specific outreach to indigenous communities and youth, the event strengthened the foundation of the sport in Canada.
Through strong volunteer leadership, historic milestones, and enthusiastic community support, the 2025 Canadian Ringette Championships demonstrated how national events can deliver lasting social, cultural, and economic benefits to host communities.
The PRESTIGE Awards are presented annually, with 10 awards across eight categories, to honour individuals, companies, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the success of the sport tourism industry. The 2026 awards presentation was held in Mississauga at the PRESTIGE Awards Gala – Wednesday, March 11, 2026.