2015: “The Year of Sport”

Hockey might be Canada’s game, but we have some other big events too./Kane Farabaugh

Canada has a lot on the go in 2015

Hey, sports fan, what are you asking Santa for this holiday season? A year with more sports, you say? I couldn’t agree more.

Fortunately, the Canadian Government also seems to agree and has officially declared 2015 as the “Year of Sport”. What’s more, the year has been given this title for good reason —Canada is host to over 60 international sporting events this year happening right here on our home soil. Here are the top five sporting events to look forward to in 2015.

5. What: Ford Men’s World Curling Championship

Where: Halifax

When: March – April

In 2014, the tournament was in Beijing, China. In 2015, the tournament is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Although Canadians are no stranger to curling events and have hosted world-class tournaments before, Halifax has never hosted a men’s world championship. This spring, the top 10 teams from around the world will hit the ice for a good ol’ Bonspiel.

4. What: Canada Winter Games

When: February 13 – March 4

Where: Prince George

The Canada Winter games are known as the largest multi-sport competition for young athletes in the country. Some of our most successful Canadian athletes, from Sidney Crosby to Steve Nash, have attended these games. The 2015 games are not only the first in British Columbia, but also the first to partner with an Official Host First Nation, the Lheidli T’enneh. 

3. What: World Junior Hockey Championship

When: December 26, 2014 – January 5, 2015

Where: Toronto/ Montreal

As we revel in the joy of an exam-less holiday, we can also revel in the glory of Canada’s favourite pastime, hockey. After all, holidays and hockey really do go hand-in-hand. What’s more, home ice-advantage means we don’t have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night to catch a live game. Holidays, hockey and sleeping in? Sold.

2. What: Pan Am & Parapan Games

When: Pan Am July 10 -16

            Parapan Am August 7-15

Where: Toronto

The Pan American Games are the world’s third-largest international multi-sport games and are only surpassed by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games. Canada has hosted the Games before (twice in Winnipeg), but it has been over 80 years since Toronto has hosted an international multi-sport event. In fact, the last time it hosted such an event, it was called the British Empire Games. This summer, around 7000 athletes from South America, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean will be in attendance, and will land in Toronto to compete.

1. What: FIFA Women’s World Cup

When: June 6 – July 5

Where: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, and Moncton

Soccer fans, rejoice! One of the international premier sporting events (only held every four years) is coming to Canada. This summer, we host the single largest women’s sport competition ever held. Also, to jog your memory, remember that the Canada’s Women’s Soccer Team placed bronze in the 2012 Olympic Games and is sure to represent. Get ready for an awesome month of cross-country action.

So as the cold weather forces us inside and our final exams stress us to the max, get some comfort in knowing that the New Year means more sports.