Ottawa 
Ottawa residents will have a chance to try dozens of free sports and recreation activities this June as part of the city’s 200th anniversary celebrations.
Credit: City of Ottawa
Called Sports 200, the two-day event takes place June 6 and 7 through a partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Sport Council. Activities will be hosted across community sports venues, including select city recreation facilities and the RA Centre on Riverside Drive.
Residents can now reserve spots online for a variety of beginner-friendly activities ranging from artistic swimming and boxing to rugby, squash, wheelchair basketball and Zumba. Organizers say additional sessions will continue to be added until May 22.
The goal is to encourage people to stay active while exploring sports they may not have tried before. Coaches, instructors and volunteers will be present throughout the weekend to guide participants through skills, techniques and rules.
The event also lines up with National Health and Fitness Day on June 6, along with the ParticipACTION Community Challenge, a nationwide initiative encouraging Canadians to get moving throughout June. Participation in Sports 200 activities will automatically count toward Ottawa’s totals in the challenge.
Some of the featured activities include canoeing, dance, soccer, table tennis, ultimate frisbee, Australian football and running.
The weekend also overlaps with Doors Open Ottawa, giving residents another reason to explore different parts of the city.
Sports 200 is one piece of Ottawa’s broader bicentennial celebrations planned for 2026. The city will also host a dedicated Ottawa 200 day during Ottawa Bluesfest on July 19, combining live music with community celebrations.
The anniversary programming will continue into 2027 as Ottawa marks 200 years since the establishment of the ByWard Market in 1827.
