Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, joined Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford-Brant, at the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, January 22, 2026, to announce that Brantford will host the 2027 Ontario Parasport Games.
The Ontario Parasport Games are held every two years and prepare para-athletes for national and international competition at events like the Canada Games, Parapan Am Games and Paralympics.
Taking place from February 19 to February 21, 2027, at various facilities across Brantford including the Wayne Gretzky Centre, the games are expected to draw over 400 athletes, coaches, and assistants to the city to compete in ten different sports such as wheelchair basketball, para ice hockey, goalball, wheelchair curling and more.
“These games showcase the remarkable talent of Ontario’s athletes and highlight some of the power of sport that unites communities, breaks down barriers and inspires the next generation of athletes,” said Lumsden.
As part of the announcement, the Ontario government will be investing $200,000 to support the City of Brantford and the Games Organizing Committee with the implementation and delivery of the games.
“Our government is proud to support the 2027 Ontario Parasport Games in Brantford that will give Ontario’s best athletes the chance to compete with their peers from across the province as they prepare for the Paralympics and beyond,” said Lumsden. “Building on the success of hosting previous Ontario Games, I am confident that Brantford will deliver an unforgettable event that attracts visitors, boosts the local economy and provides our athletes with the elite competition experience needed to excel on the national and international stages.”
Noting the city’s experience hosting major sporting events, including the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Gums, the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games and the 2017 Ontario Parasport Games, Davis said Brantford was honoured to be selected to host the games in 2027.
“Brantford has a long tradition of sporting excellence, a title earned by hosting hundreds of tournaments each year,” he said. “ This is an exciting opportunity to once again showcase our city’s exceptional sport facilities, strong community partnerships and spirit of volunteerism. We look forward to welcoming the athletes to our community and celebrating their incredible athletic achievements.”
In a statement released last Thursday, Garrett Riley, a Team Canada Paralympic ice hockey player, said he was looking forward to the games.
“It’s an absolute honour to be a part of this and for the Parasport Games to be coming back to Brantford is incredible for our community and for young up and coming para-athletes to be able to take part and show off their skills,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to watching and chatting with everyone who attends.”
Provincial officials estimate that the 2027 Parasport Games will generate $750,000 for the Brantford economy.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
