7 Reasons to Host your Next Event in Hamilton 

Hamilton has always been a great sports town. 

From hosting the first-ever Commonwealth Games in 1930 to the 2003 World Cycling Championships watched by 500 million viewers worldwide, to last year’s 108th Grey Cup – Hamilton’s sports roots run deep.  

Now, thanks to newly announced blockbuster events, thrilling sports teams now calling the city home, and ambitious new facility upgrades, Hamilton’s hosting sports cred is stronger than ever. 

The return of spectator sports is the perfect time to rediscover Hamilton’s passion for sports and high hosting standards. 

Here are seven reasons to look forward to hosting your next  event with us.  

1. Big Ticket Events Choosing Hamilton 
 
The momentum of prestigious events choosing Hamilton continues to grow, with Hamilton sports facilities taking centre stage in front of national and international audiences.   

Just some high profile recent and upcoming events include: 

The 2021 Grey Cup; the FIFA World Cup Qualifier (Canada vs the US), the historic NHL Heritage Classic (Toronto Maple Leaf Sabres vs Buffalo Sabres); and the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.  

In 2023, we look forward to welcoming back the 110th Grey Cup followed by the RBC Canadian Open in 2024.  

2. New Teams Relocating Here, Joining Local Favourites

Hamilton’s sporting roots run deep, thanks to both new and historic sports leagues who now call the city home.  

In 2021, Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League relocated to Hamilton where they launched a successful season, drawing fans from across the region.   

Other high profile, newer teams include Forge FC who joined the Canadian Premier League as one of seven inaugural teams in 2019 and have dominated the field ever since and the Honey Badgers, competing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, launched in 2019.  

They join longstanding teams with large fan bases like the CFL’s mighty Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. 

3. The Future is Bright for our Sports Facilities  

Hamilton’s downtown arena FirstOntario Centre and nearby performance and event spaces including Hamilton Convention Centre, are about to undergo a transformational $100 million upgrade. Expect to see a striking facade overhaul and significant interior renovations.  

Further developments spurred by this new “Downtown Entertainment Precinct” are expected to transform the downtown core, drawing even more events and visitors.   

Other newer venues that players and fans will rave about include state of the art sporting facilities at McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University, as well as the 22,500-seat outdoor stadium Tim Hortons Field. 

4. New Accommodations

All this will require more hotel spaces which the city is planning for with the addition of 400 new hotel rooms in the near future including a new downtown Hamilton Inn by Hilton expected to open later in 2022.  

The city is already home to more than 1,500 hotel rooms including many well-known brands including Sheraton, Marriot, Hilton, Intercontinental Group, Sandman, and Choice Hotels.  

5. Location, Location, Location 

The city’s ideal location in the heart of the Golden Horseshoe (one hour from both Toronto and Niagara Falls) has always been a key selling point.  
 
It’s now even easier (and faster) to get to and from Hamilton with the recent arrival of all-day, hourly GO train service from Union Station in downtown Toronto to Hamilton’s West Harbour GO Station, close to downtown.  

Hamilton’s hassle-free airport is less than 20 minutes from downtown and continues to offer the perfect starting and arrival point for low-cost and convenient flights across the country and beyond. Ask us about discounted airfare for your event.  

Future visitors can also look forward to a newly announced LRT, that will seamlessly carry delegates from one end of the city to the other.  

6. What to Do Before and After the Event

Hamilton’s revival has made the city one of Canada’s most buzz-worthy destinations. Known for its distinctive urban feel and exciting food and culture scene, Hamilton also surprises with its stunning nature. No matter where they’re staying in the city, your event participants will always be minutes away from a scenic trail, hidden waterfall or waterfront boardwalk, with lots of food and drink options to fuel their visit.  

New to Hamilton? Discover our must see and do experiences. And find out what you can look forward to experiencing in 2022. 

7. Superior Service 

With experience gained from hosting hundreds of successful sporting events, Tourism Hamilton’s sport sales team understand event planners’ unique needs and value the success of your event as much as you do.

We’ll guide you at every step, offering assistance with city-wide bids, site selection, financial incentives, and much more. 

Please get in touch to find out how we can make your next event a huge success.  

We’d love to hear from you. 

Alana Henderson  
Tourism Product Development Specialist – Sport Tourism  
905-546-2424 ext. 3173 
Alana.Henderson@hamilton.ca 

If you would like to be the next member whose profile will be featured on the STC website, contact Barb MacDonald, Communications Consultant at bmacdonald@sporttourismcanada.com.