Ontario Investing $1.5 million to Support 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships
Eleven-day event in Ottawa is expected to see more than 100,000 total visits and generate $25 million in economic activity
The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million to support the 2026 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) World Championships. Hosted in Ottawa, the championship event will run from September 9th to September 19th, 2026, and is expected to attract more than 100,000 total visits, generating $25 million in economic activity for the region. This investment is expected to attract visitors, create jobs and strengthen local economies through sport tourism.
“It is motivating to have the support of family, friends and so many fellow Canadians leading into Ottawa 2026. We’re excited to show off the incredible sport of wheelchair basketball to the Canadian crowd and thankful to partners like the Government of Ontario, whose support will allow us to experience this incredible event with the added energy of being on home soil.” – Lee Melymick, Two-time Paralympian and 2025 IWBF 3×3 Open World Championships gold-medal squad team member, Team Canada
The IWBF Championships is held every four years and is the largest international wheelchair basketball competition featuring the best men’s and women’s teams from around the world. The upcoming event will showcase 28 national teams, with 336 elite athletes competing in nearly 100 games over 11 days. The government’s $1.5 million investment will help Wheelchair Basketball Canada deliver a world-class experience that supports inclusion, accessibility and high-performance sport, while creating economic benefits and reinforcing Ontario’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events.
“We are grateful to the province of Ontario for their leadership and investment in the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships,” said Wendy Gittens, Wheelchair Basketball Canada CEO. “Their support not only brings a world-class sporting event to our communities, but also strengthens our shared commitment to advancing inclusive sport and celebrating athletic excellence. This investment will fuel meaningful impact by growing access to sport, inspiring new participants and strengthening wheelchair basketball for future generations.”
In 2024, the government invested over $54 million in Ontario’s sport and recreation industry to support grassroots participation, high-performance sport, promote healthy and active lifestyles and strengthen local economies.
Quick Facts
- The tournament is hosted by Wheelchair Basketball Canada, with The Arena at TD Place and Carleton University serving as the venues for the games.
- Teams earn their place in the championship by qualifying through zonal tournaments, held across the IWBF’s four Zones—Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia Oceania.
- Applications will open later this year for Intake II of the 2026-27 Ontario Sport Hosting Program, which provides project-based support for national and international amateur sporting events that drive local tourism, give Ontario athletes elite competition experience and showcase the province’s world-class facilities and hospitality.
- The government’s investments through Ontario’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund are helping communities unlock more hosting opportunities and building more accessible facilities like Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court.
- Ontario invests over $6 million annually through the Quest for Gold program, helping Ontario athletes train and compete at the highest levels. At the 2024 Summer Paralympics, Ontario athletes made up 38% of Team Canada, with 92% supported by Quest for Gold during their careers.