Benefits
Sports Leave Lasting Legacies
From the Olympics to the World Cup, B.C. is known around the world for being a top-tier sport host. But what makes these events great are the benefits they create:
- places to gather
- places to play
- opportunities for business
- increased tourism that can spread to all of B.C.
This page will be updated as more benefits are announced. Come back soon to learn more about how sport is bringing B.C. together.
Benefits of Sport
Sport is good for all of us. It can strengthen your body and mind. And it has many benefits for the province as a whole.
Participation
Sport events can inspire more people to get involved in sport. That can lead to better physical health and well-being. It can also build stronger connections in our communities.
Community
Sport events bring us together. They connect people from different backgrounds and cultures. And they can leave legacies that make communities stronger.
Economy
Sport events boost our economy. They generate revenues that benefit the community, create jobs and support local businesses. And they encourage more tourists to visit B.C.
Growing Inclusive Sports
Province-wide
Categories:
Participation
Community
Adaptive sport equipment was needed for 550 competitors of the Invictus Games. The Province and viaSport stepped up with $750,000 in one-time grants for equipment. This allowed sports like wheelchair basketball and indoor rowing teams to move ahead at full strength. After the Games, the equipment will stay in B.C., benefiting athletes of all abilities.
22
recipient sports organizations
Adaptive sport unlocks activities that were previously out of reach and help challenge stereotypes about ability and achievement in sport.
Amplified: B.C. Artists at Grey Cup
Province-wide
Categories:
Community
Music BC, BC Arts Council and Creative BC worked with the BC Lions to bring live, local music to the Grey Cup Festival in downtown Vancouver.
Friday’s “Best of BC” line-up included:
- Dear Rouge
- Garett T. Willie
- Bitterly Devine
- Jordan Klassen
- Ayla Tasler-Mabe
- Black Pontiac
- Post Modern Collective
- Pinebarren
8
featured artists
500,000
Festival attendees
30,000
out-of-town visitors
Grey Cup Brings $125M Boost to B.C.
Province-wide
Categories:
Economy
From coast to coast, CFL fans of all stripes travelled to Vancouver for the 111th Grey Cup and Festival. The week-long event generated an estimated $125 million for B.C.’s economy.
500,000
Festival attendees
$125M
estimated economic impact
The Festival featured family-friendly activities and interactive exhibits that showcase B.C.’s economic and tourism opportunities. More than 6,000 people visited the WorkBC Find Your Fit booth, which had hands-on activities and information about high-demand skills and careers. Destination BC teamed up with regional ski hills to promote winter tourism across the province. The Grey Cup championship game also saw the biggest-ever 50/50 draw, with half of the proceeds ($430,000) going to support amateur football in B.C.
Touchdown! Flag Football in B.C.
Province-wide
Categories:
Participation
Community
Flag football is a safer and more inclusive version of football. It involves skills development, teamwork and getting out on the field and having fun! As a legacy of the 2024 Grey Cup, a new educational tool with videos featuring the BC Lions is available to teachers and schools across B.C.
Spirit of Invictus: Four Host First Nations
Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Territories
Categories:
Community
The Invictus Games 2025 will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). The Four Nations have been involved with all aspects of the Games since the bidding process started. The Invictus Games is an example of how major sport events like the Invictus Games can contribute to reconciliation.
IG25 is respecting territorial protocols and working closely with the Four Host First Nations in the planning and hosting of the Games.
The Chiefs of Lil’wat, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and the Spokesperson of the Squamish Nation are members of the Board of Directors for the Games.
The Four Host First Nations will have a prominent role at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and throughout the Games.
An Invictus Games 2025 brand was created by artists from each of the Four Host First Nations. This is the first time this type of artist collaboration has taken place as part of the Games.
More Sport Opportunities for Girls
Vancouver
Categories:
Participation
The Province provided a $10,000 grant to help support the first-ever Sinclair Soccer Summit, which aims to open doors for young girls in sport.
In December 2024, 40 girls joined Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair to learn about soccer skills, leadership, confidence and self-esteem.
Christine Sinclair is the former captain of the Canadian National Women’s Soccer team. She has competed in four Olympic games, earning one gold medal and two bronze medals for Team Canada. After retiring from professional soccer, Christine started the Christine Sinclair Foundation to support young girls in their soccer journey.
Supporting the Sinclair Soccer Summit aligns with the Province’s goals to develop young athletes and create more inclusive sports, in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup 26.
The Sinclair Soccer Summit took place at the UBC National Soccer Development Centre on the territory of the Musqueam First Nation.
