The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million to support the 2026 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) World Championships, which will be hosted in Ottawa from September 9 to September 19, 2026. The championship is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors and generate around $25 million in economic activity for the region, reflecting Ontario’s broader strategy to promote sport tourism, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.
Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, highlighted the significance of hosting one of the world’s premier inclusive sporting events, emphasizing the province’s commitment to welcoming teams and fans globally while showcasing athletic talent and competition. The IWBF World Championships, held every four years, feature the world’s top men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams. The 2026 event will include 28 national teams, 336 elite athletes, and nearly 100 games over 11 days, with the government’s investment supporting high-performance sport, accessibility, and inclusion.
Wendy Gittens, CEO of Wheelchair Basketball Canada, praised the provincial support, noting that it enables a world-class sporting experience while advancing inclusive sport, inspiring new participants, and strengthening wheelchair basketball for future generations. This aligns with Ontario’s broader sport and recreation initiatives, which in 2024 included over $54 million in funding to support grassroots participation, high-performance sport, and healthy, active lifestyles, while promoting economic growth through major events.
The championships will be held at The Arena at TD Place and Carleton University, with teams qualifying through zonal tournaments across the IWBF’s four zones—Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia Oceania. Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program and Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund are also helping build accessible facilities and host national and international events, while programs like Quest for Gold support Ontario athletes in training and competition.
Officials and athletes emphasized the event’s dual impact on inclusivity and economic growth. Raymond Cho, Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, noted that accessible sporting events unlock economic potential, while two-time Paralympian Lee Melymick highlighted the excitement of competing on home soil and the importance of provincial support in delivering a high-energy, memorable championship.
This investment reflects Ontario’s ongoing commitment to positioning the province as a leading destination for major international sporting events while promoting inclusion, accessibility, and high-performance sport.
