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It's Time to Play for Canada

We've all had to be resilient and to persevere through tough times. To recover from the challenges we have all endured, and now to truly heal, we need to rebuild connection by immersing ourselves and especially our youth in the joy of play, sharing in the creation of positive new memories and building hope for good things to come.

Play builds human connection when we collaborate, laugh and celebrate together. The bonds and skills forged through play can last a lifetime. It’s time to shift focus from surviving, to thriving. It's time to play for Canada!

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Hitting the streets together

Historically rooted in the Indigenous culture of the Mi’kmaq First Nation, hockey went on to become Canada’s national winter sport. Now, we’re taking the game off the ice and into the summer sunshine for Play On!, Canada’s Sports Festival.

The national celebration re-started with a series of street events held in 9 communities across the country in 2022, but that was just the beginning. Play On! is truly a "Sport For All" program, open to those of all ages and experience levels and no skating skills are required - just grab your sneakers and a stick and you’re ready to play.

If you’re in it to win it, we’re working on a return of the national championship event, too!

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Be a fan, free agent, volunteer, or create your own team!

Whether you’re a returning street hockey champion or a curious newbie who wants to try Canada's favourite street sport for the first time, there are experience level options for everyone. The program is for players of all ages and skill levels so you can register yourself, your child, your teen, even your parent to participate. There are also lots of ways to get involved if you don’t want to play but still want to be a part of the event.

You can register to be a team captain who organizes a team, a player who joins a team created by a friend, or free agent looking to join any team. You can also apply to be a paid referee! If playing or officiating is not something you are feeling right now, show your support by lending a hand as a volunteer scorekeeper or tournament management official, or just dig out your pom poms and rally sticks to cheer on your favourite team as a fan. Everyone gets to be a part of Play On! Canada, and this event will provide an opportunity, connectivity, and memories of a lifetime for you!

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Get in on the games near you

Building on the success of the past, we want as many Canadians as possible to have the opportunity to participate in this truly inclusive Canadian event. We're seeking partners who can help make our national vision a reality.

Here's the vision.... we've done it before and we are keen to do it again!

2024 marks the 20th year since the first national Play On! event tour was held in 2004. 179 events have been held in total. Just like we did in our 10th anniversary season, we are proposing to operate up to 20 community events coast to coast to coast, culminating with a national championship event - making that national championship the 200th Play On! event held in the program's 20th anniversary season.

Start thinking about how your team, your family, and your organization would like to get involved. Gather your friends and neighbours to join in on the fun at the Play On! event closest to you. An announcement about plans for the events will be made soon!

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Calgary

July 30-31 2022


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Windsor

August 6 - 7, 2022


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Mississauga

August 13-14, 2022


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Ottawa

August 20-21, 2022


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Moncton

August 27-28, 2022


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Edmonton

September 10-11, 2022


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Nanaimo

September 17 - 18 2022


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Surrey

September 24 - 25 2022


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Kelowna

October 1 - 2 2022


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The people make it happen

Play On! is a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors that’s passionate about bringing street hockey, and its many benefits, to everyone. With a diverse range of experience organizing large-scale, mass participation sporting events, our Directors are uniquely qualified to plan and host an accessible festival and sporting event that unites and inspires.

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Our first event took place in Halifax in 2003. Since then, we’ve held another 179 events that included well over 400,000 players and over 2 million spectators, volunteers and game officials. We even hold the Guinness World Record for largest street hockey event!

Of course, we couldn’t do any of this without funding support from our Federal, Provincial and Municipal government partners. A big thanks also goes out to our media sponsors, Sportsnet and the CBC, for helping us spread the word so the whole country can come out and Play On! with us.

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The power of team sports

We’ve all experienced some intense challenges over the past couple years. Now it’s time to bring our friends and our communities back together to connect, to heal and to celebrate.

Whether you’re playing the game or cheering from the stands, team sports motivate us to care for ourselves and one another. They’re a proven catalyst for change that can have a positive impact on individual lives and shared neighbourhoods. They lift our spirits, providing a much-needed boost for our physical and mental health. Let’s empower ourselves and one another and Play On! together.

Recent News

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Update on Play On! Canada’s 2023 Season


We call on all Canadians who see the need for play, who love this sport, their community, and our country to reach out today.

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Partners in Sport: Play On! Canada and Canadian Ball Hockey Association


Play On! Canada and the Canadian Ball Hockey Association have teamed up to make the cultural phenomena of street hockey available in more communities across Canada

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Play On! Canada and Booster Juice Announce Multi-Year Partnership


As Play On! returns to communities across Canada this summer, Play On! Canada and Booster Juice, Canada’s original juice and smoothie bar, announced today a multifaceted partnership.

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Kevin Lowe on Play On! street hockey and the run for the Cup


Throughout his 40-year involvement with professional hockey, one often-underappreciated trait has served Kevin Lowe as well as any other in his Hall-of-Fame career: an impeccable sense of timing.

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Canada’s Largest Sports Festival Returns in Summer 2022


May 26, 2022 - Known for their inclusivity, Play On! Canada street hockey festivals welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from newcomer to NHL star.

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British Columbia provides funding to relaunch Play On! Canada


On Dec 15, 2021, the Government of British Columbia announced that it would be the first Provincial government to support the return of Play On! throughout its Province.

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