Tourism Nanaimo Launches New Sports Hosting Toolkit

Mar 10
3 min read

For Immediate Release

March 10, 2026

Sport Starts at Home and Nanaimo’s Hosting Community is Ready

New Sport Hosting Toolkit supports organizers with bids, planning, and

on-the-ground delivery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kKlv2ucmLo

Snuneymuxw First Nation Territory, Nanaimo, B.C. - Tourism Nanaimo has launched its new Sport Hosting Toolkit, a practical planning resource designed to help event rights holders and event organizers bring tournaments and championships to Nanaimo, while supporting local clubs to host with confidence. The launch supports Tourism Nanaimo’s long-term goal to become a premier hosting destination by 2030.

In Nanaimo, sport starts at home. The Sport Hosting Toolkit reflects a community-first approach to hosting, built on local pride, strong relationships, and the volunteer spirit that powers great events. With more than 40 amateur sport organizations, a strong network of community partners and hoteliers, and a proven track record of hosting events of every size, Nanaimo is well positioned to deliver memorable sport and parasport experiences with a distinct West Coast flavour.

“Our best events don’t start at the venue. They start in the community,” says Carly Pereboom, CEO, Tourism Nanaimo. “The Sport Hosting Toolkit brings our hosting strengths together in one place and gives organizers a clear path to plan, deliver, and grow events Nanaimo can be proud of.”

Designed as a working resource, the Sport Hosting Toolkit outlines the Sport Hosting Program and Tourism Nanaimo’s complimentary planning support. Organizers can access impartial guidance on venues, facilities, and accommodations, along with support for site visits, travel and group options, sustainability planning, and bid packages and RFPs. The toolkit also highlights Nanaimo’s hosting-ready infrastructure, from championship-capable sport facilities to flexible indoor venues that can support everything from weigh-ins and eSports to gymnastics, dance, and training clinics.

“This toolkit is built to help organizers move from idea to execution with clarity,” says Sydney Solland, Sport Tourism Coordinator, Tourism Nanaimo. “It puts the essentials in one place and connects organizers with the local partners who help events run smoothly.”

The toolkit also includes information on Tourism Nanaimo’s Sport Hosting Grant, designed to support events that attract out-of-town participants and overnight visitors. The program is intended to help new and existing events expand capacity, improve quality, or extend duration, while generating meaningful benefits for local businesses and the broader community.

The Sport Hosting Toolkit is available now on Tourism Nanaimo’s Sport Hosting page. Event organizers interested in hosting in Nanaimo can connect with Tourism Nanaimo’s Sport Tourism team at sydney@tourismnanaimo.com for planning support and next steps.

Media images can be found here.

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About Tourism Nanaimo:

Tourism Nanaimo is the official destination management organization for Nanaimo, British Columbia, playing a central role in how the city plans for and benefits from visitation. Rather than focusing solely on promotion, Tourism Nanaimo works across destination planning, experience and product development, business and event attraction, and strategic investment to ensure the visitor economy supports broader community outcomes.

Operating in alignment with Nanaimo ReImagined, the City of Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan, Tourism Nanaimo applies a Doughnut Economics approach to balance economic vitality with social well-being and environmental responsibility. This integrated model ensures tourism is planned as part of the city’s long-term growth and resilience, contributing to a destination that is economically strong, culturally vibrant, and livable for residents while remaining welcoming and competitive for visitors.

For more information, visit: tourismnanaimo.com, or connect socially on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.