Hosting Program

Program goals

The Program’s main goal is to increase Montréal tourism spending, while adhering to its different orientations, such as sustainability, inclusion, attractiveness, sports development and social impact.

To this end, it aims to:

• support sports events that position Montréal on the national and international stage.
• increase Montréal’s appeal by linking it to high-profile sports events that may incite visitors to travel to Montréal or extend their stay here.
• create business opportunities for Tourisme Montréal members, particularly in the off season.
• increase the quality and diversity of sports events on the Montréal territory.
• maximize the legacy and spin-offs (sports, tourism, media, economic and social) from sports events held in Montréal.
• build on Montréal expertise and know-how in the organization of major sports events.
• optimize the use of hospitality and sports infrastructures as well as Montréal’s public spaces.

Eligible clients

• The program applies to rights holders of sports events as well as promoters or organizations that have full financial responsibility for competitive, participative or professional sports events. It provides financial support to organizing committees of one-time or start-up events held on the island of Montréal.
• Sports events that have been operating for several years already are ineligible. This offer applies to new business opportunities uniquely and cannot be offered to pre-existing events.
• Crown corporations, ministries and organizations within the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada as well as sports facilities managers cannot apply for financial assistance. In each case, the business must be legally constituted according to the laws of the Government of Québec or the Government of Canada and must conduct business in Québec.

Ineligible events

The following are excluded from the program:

• sports events whose primary goal is to raise funds for causes or charity organizations unrelated to sports.
• provincial, regional or municipal events.
• regular season games of Canadian leagues.
• festivals and cultural events that showcase a sports demonstration or have a minimal sports component.
• participative sports events designed to entertain or activate the Montréal community and develop the Montréal tourism product (e.g. races, obstacle courses or physical challenges).
• clinics, exhibitions, conventions and fairs related to physical activity or wellness.
• events that have already been held in Montréal for many years and that do not need compete with other cities through a bidding process.

Type of financial assistance

The financial assistance awarded within the program will be paid out in installments equalling the amount confirmed in the support letter. Financial assistance is based on an evaluation of the event according to five (5) program criteria and funding available from Sports Events Montréal.

Based on the evaluation, financial installments will be made as follows:

• A variable amount based on the number of Montréal hotel rooms occupied and paid for by the event. OR
• A variable amount based on the number of participants within a 100-km radius of Montréal.

An additional fixed amount may be granted according to a tourism performance evaluation based on determined indicators, actual operating costs and funds available from Sports Events Montréal. This financial assistance may also be used to conduct a study on spin-offs, a business plan, a feasibility study or any tool relevant to the application.

Discover all Sports Events Montréal's free services here. 

Submitting applications

Applications may be submitted at any time of the year for any category, as long as the complete file is submitted one (1) month before the competition at the latest. The complete file includes the online form and required documents. Once the application is submitted and the file is being evaluated, applicants will no longer be able to submit a revised application for the same event.

For Category 4, the form must also be filled out and submitted before the application is submitted to the rights holder of the event.

Terms of payment

Financial assistance provided by Tourisme Montréal is generally paid once the event is over (Category 1 to 3) and all requested documents have been submitted and reviewed, including the hotel report on the real number of occupied and paid rooms or the registration and participation report, according to the funds granted.

Payment will be made to the rights holder or mandated promoter as stipulated in the letter of support or the signed memorandum of understanding.

Tourisme Montréal reserves the right to demand total or partial reimbursement of agreed financial assistance in any of the following circumstances:

• If the event is cancelled or is moved off the island of Montréal
• If organizing the event is prejudicial to Tourisme Montréal
• If one or more requested documents is missing
• If information in the documents submitted or disseminated by the organization is false or inaccurate
• If documents requested post-event are not submitted to Tourisme Montréal