BRANTFORD, Ont. — The Ontario government has selected Brantford to host the 2027 Ontario Parasport Games and will invest $200,000 to support planning and delivery of the event, positioning the city to welcome hundreds of athletes and visitors while generating new tourism and economic activity.
The Ministry of Sport announced the funding on Jan. 22, 2026, saying the investment will support Brantford’s successful bid for the province’s largest multi-sport competition for para-athletes. The government framed the commitment as part of its broader effort to strengthen local economies by attracting visitors and increasing domestic tourism.
“Our government is proud to support the 2027 Ontario Parasport Games in Brantford that will give Ontario’s best athletes the chance to compete with their peers from across the province as they prepare for the Paralympics and beyond,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “Building on the success of hosting previous Ontario Games, I am confident that Brantford will deliver an unforgettable event that attracts visitors, boosts the local economy and provides our athletes with the elite competition experience needed to excel on the national and international stages.”
The Ontario Parasport Games are held every two years and are designed as a high-performance stepping stone for athletes competing at national and international events, including the Canada Games, Parapan Am Games and Paralympics. The Games typically draw competitors from across Ontario, with organizers emphasizing both the competitive value and the community-building impact of the event.
Brantford’s 2027 edition is expected to bring more than 400 participants to the city, including athletes, coaches and assistants. Competition is set to span 10 sports, including wheelchair basketball, goalball, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling, among others. Provincial officials estimate the event will generate an economic impact of more than $750,000 for Brantford’s economy through visitor spending tied to accommodation, food services, transportation and local attractions.
Ontario said its $200,000 investment will help the City of Brantford and the Games Organizing Committee with implementation and delivery, supporting operational planning and event execution. While the province did not provide a detailed breakdown of how funds will be allocated, such support typically contributes to venue readiness, accessibility services, staffing, volunteer coordination and logistics.
Municipal leaders welcomed the selection, highlighting Brantford’s experience hosting large-scale sporting events and its capacity to support athletes and visitors.
“The City of Brantford is honoured to be selected as the host for the 2027 Ontario Parasport Games,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor of Brantford. “Brantford has a long tradition of sporting excellence, a title earned by hosting hundreds of tournaments each year. This is an exciting opportunity to once again showcase our city’s exceptional sport facilities, strong community partnerships and spirit of volunteerism. We look forward to welcoming the athletes to our community and celebrating their incredible athletic achievements.”
The announcement also underscores the role provincial Games play in strengthening Ontario’s sports tourism economy. Ontario says Games Ontario events help host communities build experience managing major competitions, develop a base of trained volunteers and encourage future participation in sports-related events. For cities like Brantford, hosting is often seen as a way to raise community visibility while creating seasonal economic activity for local businesses.
The 2027 Ontario Parasport Games will mark a return engagement for Brantford, which previously hosted the 2017 Ontario Parasport Games and the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games. That track record was cited by provincial officials as evidence of the city’s ability to deliver a large multi-sport event that meets athlete and accessibility standards.
Several provincial and sport-sector stakeholders also pointed to the broader impact of parasport programming, including its role in accessibility, inclusion and athlete development.
“Sport has a powerful ability to unite us all. The athletes who will gather here remind us of how, through hard work and perseverance, all of us can achieve our dreams and inspire others.”
- Raymond Cho
Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
“I am pleased to be part of a government that sees the value of supporting sports competitions of all levels and abilities. We have a proven track record of hosting amazing games and competitions here in our community and I look forward to celebrating 2027 with all of the volunteers, coaches and competitors.”
- Will Bouma
MPP for Brantford-Brant
“This is great news to see the continued investment from the Ministry of Sport to create opportunities for competition at the provincial level for para athletes! Building off the success of previous Games, the City of Brantford will ensure that in 2027, a safe and competitive environment for all involved as we grow parasport pathways and opportunities for participation across Ontario.”
- James Murphy
Executive Director of Parasport Ontario
“It’s an absolute honour to be a part of this and for the Parasport Games to be coming back to Brantford is incredible for our community and for young up and coming para-athletes to be able to take part and show off their skills. I’m really looking forward to watching and chatting with everyone who attends.”
- Garrett Riley
Team Canada Paralympic ice hockey player
The Ministry of Sport said host municipalities are selected through a competitive bidding process, part of a broader framework that also includes the Ontario Summer and Winter Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games and the Ontario Parasport Games.
Looking ahead, the province has already opened bidding for the 2029 Ontario Parasport Games, with expressions of interest due May 15, 2026.
