This announcement is part of the Government of Canada's generational $1-billion investment in sport, the largest in the nation's history to strengthen our sport system; increase participation; continue hosting world-class events; upgrade stadiums, fields and community centres; and help athletes succeed from the playground to the podium.
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's Year of Sport continues with Canada's Women's Rugby Team taking the field against England this evening in Ottawa, after their historic victory last week in Toronto. As one of the best women's rugby teams in the world, their success is inspiring the next generation of athletes across the country.
Through the Spring Economic Update, we invested $1 billion in sport, the largest in our nation's history, to strengthen our sport system. We moved quickly to get that support where it can make a difference.
Today, during the match in Ottawa, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced close to $5 million in funding for Rugby Canada in 2026–27, including an additional investment of $2.8 million for this year.
Secretary of State van Koeverden also highlighted an investment of $898,000 in 2026–27 to support Rugby Canada's hosting of four international matches in Canada, including two Nations Cup matches and two WXV Global Series matches.
This funding will support Canadian athletes, increase participation and help Canada continue to host world-class sporting events.
This is an incredible time to cheer on our rugby players as they compete on home soil, while welcoming fans and proving once again that Canada is the best sport-hosting nation.
Quotes
"Sport has the power to shape lives and bring people together in a way few things can. Canada's Women's Rugby Team showed us exactly that with their historic victory over England in Toronto. We're strengthening Canada's sport system by making sure that much-needed resources get to Rugby Canada so they can put them in motion. This means increased support for athletes, coaches, and programs that help Canadians participate and excel in sport. As Canada takes on England again in Ottawa, we're building on that incredible momentum, supporting the continued growth of rugby across the country, celebrating team Canada, and proving once again Canada is the best sport-hosting nation. Go Canada Go!"
--The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
"This support directly reinforces rugby's momentum and investment, aligning seamlessly with our strategic priorities: supporting our teams to win, expanding financial capacity through partnerships and hosting major events that deliver strong economic impact and becoming a leading sports organization that supports the growth of rugby across Canada.
Demonstrating NSO resourcefulness was a key pillar of this funding. Through our innovative commercial partnerships, philanthropic campaigns like Mission: Win the Rugby World Cup and our major event hosting program, our organization has demonstrated we are actively working to continue our mission to inspire the nation on the global stage and lead, govern and support the game of rugby across Canada."
--Nathan Bombrys, CEO, Rugby Canada
Quick Facts
The funding to Rugby Canada is distributed as follows:
- Sport Canada Sport Support Program: $4,975,000 million in 2026–27, which includes the recent top-up of $2,815,000 from the Spring Economic Update.
- Sport Canada Hosting Program: $898,000 in 2026–27 to help host four international rugby events in Canada.
- $250,000 for the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup in Edmonton and Calgary from June 28 to July 11
- $150,000 for the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup in Winnipeg from July 12 to 19
- $249,000 for the WXV Global Series in Toronto on October 16
- $249,000 for the WXV Global Series in Ottawa on October 23
This announcement is part of the Government of Canada's generational $1-billion investment to improve access to sport; continue hosting world-class events; upgrade stadiums, fields and community recreation facilities; and help athletes succeed from the playground to the podium.
The Spring Economic Update 2026 provided $755 million over five years, starting in 2026–27, and $118 million on a permanent basis, to Canadian Heritage to help Canada's sport system:
- Host and compete with the best: $50 million over five years to bring more world-class sporting events to Canada. Funding will be tied to legacy-building projects that deliver lasting benefits well beyond the events themselves. Facilities built or upgraded for major events will continue to serve communities, support grassroots participation and strengthen local sport systems for years to come.
- Support our athletes and the next generation in performing at the highest levels: $45 million over five years and $8 million ongoing to help our athletes train, compete and perform, including support for better mental health and funding that will be linked to robust safe sport measures and frameworks. These actions will strengthen the sport system and respond to some of the findings of the Final Report of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission while the government continues to consider all of its recommendations.
- Get more Canadians involved in sport: $660 million over five years and $110 million ongoing for sport organizations, increasing funding that has remained largely unchanged since 2005, so that they can invest in a strong and safe sport system and grow participation among children and youth nationwide. We want sport organizations to work with private sector partners who share the goal of getting more Canadians involved in sport. We also expect sport organizations to make changes to their programming to invest in sport at all levels.
Through the Build Communities Strong Fund, the Government of Canada is investing up to $250 million in key sport and recreation infrastructure projects.
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SOURCE Canadian Heritage
Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Bahoz Dara Aziz, Director of Communications, Office of the Secretary of State (Sport), [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, [email protected]
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