Venues

2026 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES BID Venues and facilities

 

Calgary 2026’s Draft Hosting Plan Concept outlines plans for proposed new buildings and for existing venues that needed upgrades if Calgary proceeded with bidding for and hosting the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

 

Calgary 2026's Draft Hosting Plan Concept

Multi-sport complex / fieldhouse

 

During the Games, this proposed complex would host figure skating, short track speed skating, and wheelchair curling. After the Games, it would allow community use such as hosting regional, provincial and national competitions; and provide:

  • 400m indoor track
  • In-field for throwing and jumping sports
  • FIFA-sized soccer field
  • Basketball courts
  • Volleyball courts
  • Badminton courts
  • Batting cages
  • Climbing wall
  • Dry-land training space
  • Removable spectator seating for events

 

Mid-size / community arena

During the Games, this proposed 5,000-seat, two-ice sheet arena would host some hockey games, para-hockey games and training.

After the Games, it would host regional, provincial and national competitions. It would also be used by athletes and the community for training, competition and recreation, giving Calgary two new ice sheets.​

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Upgraded venues and facilities

 

The draft hosting plan proposes upgrades to a number of existing facilities. The proposed upgrades allow these facilities to continue serving Calgary’s recreation and athletic community into the future. The following facilities would be upgraded to host events:

  • Olympic Oval: long-track speed skating
  • McMahon Stadium: opening and closing ceremonies
  • Winsport sliding track: luge, skeleton and bobsled
  • Winsport ski hill: half-pipe, aerials, big air, moguls, slope style
  • Saddledome: hockey
  • BMO Centre: International Broadcast Centre
  • Big Four building: Main Press Centre
  • Max Bell arena: training
  • Canmore Nordic Centre: cross country skiing and biathlon
  • Nakiska Ski Resort: downhill ski events

 

Potential benefits and risks of hosting the Games

Benefits

  • A multi-sport complex/fieldhouse is a top priority in several City p​lans and aligns with the proposed redevelopment of Foothills Athletic Park
  • The mid-size/community arena is part of the Foothills Athletic Park Concept Plan
  • Upgrades extend the life of facilities, improve access for Calgarians and help keep Calgary as a destination for winter sport
  • Hosting the Games means fast-tracking investment in existing and new sport, recreation and community facilities
  • New and upgraded venues provide event-ready infrastructure. This allows us to host national and internatio​nal sport competitions, conferences and events, which can generate economic benefits
  • Proposed legacy fund to operate and maintain new and existing sport and recreation facilities and to fund things like youth and Indigenous programs

Risks

  • Investing in Games-related infrastructure potentially means fewer capital dollars to invest in other priorities
  • Investment in Games-related infrastructure is not currently in The City’s One Calgary 2019-2022 four-year budgeting and investment plans, which Council will review in November 2018.
  • Funding for operating and maintenance costs associated with the two proposed new facilities (mid-size community arena and multi-sport complex) will need to be confirmed and determined

Aligning with city priorities

The City reviewed ​​the proposed draft hosting plan to see how well it fits with Citizen Priorities, Council Directives, City policies, strategies and our long-term capital and financial plans.

The City has six Council-approved principles for investing in infrastructure: (buildings, roads, etc.):

  1. Support the delivery of City of Calgary services, at approved service levels
  2. Promote the well-being of communities, environment, and economy
  3. Build an adaptable, resilient and smart city
  4. Enhance the long-term value of City assets
  5. Integrate, coordinate and optimize The City’s investment
  6. Optimize financing and funding sources
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