Montréal, January 15, 2024 – After three years in Montréal, the Judo Canada Open National Championships will return to Alberta next year! The tournament—one of the largest annual judo competitions in Canada, with some 1,000 participants—will be held in Calgary in 2025, 2026, and 2027.

The event will be organized and presented by the experienced local organizing committee led by president Al Sattin. The same committee organized the Open National Championships in Calgary and Edmonton from 2016 to 2019. Judo Canada is thrilled to announce the return of the competition to Western Canada in 2025.

“Calgary, which recently hosted the 2023 Pan-American and Oceania Cadet, Junior and Senior Championships, has demonstrated its exceptional commitment to judo and its ability to organize world-class events. The success of the 2023 tournaments was an inspiration to us all and a testament to the passion and dedication of the judo community in Canada. We therefore made the decision to bring the Canadian Open Championships back to this dynamic city,” said Nicolas Gill, CEO and High Performance Director of Judo Canada.

“Not only does Calgary boast world-class facilities, but it also provides a warm and welcoming environment that fosters the spirit of competition, while also celebrating the fundamental values of judo,” he continued. “We are confident that the 2025 to 2027 Open National Championships will be memorable in many ways, from both sports and community perspectives. I invite you to join us in celebrating the return of the Open National Championships to Calgary. Together, let’s continue to make judo a dynamic and inspiring sport for all!”

The local organizing committee is equally enthusiastic, promising to deliver unforgettable events, not only for the participants, but also for all those who pass through the doors of the University of Calgary Olympic Oval.

“Calgary is thrilled to be selected by Judo Canada to host the next three National Open Judo Championships in 2025, 2026 and 2027,” said Carson Ackroyd, Senior Vice President of Sales with Tourism Calgary. “These events will bring significant visitation to Calgary and we look forward to working with our passionate and committed local judo community to welcome these elite athletes to our city.”

As a reminder, the 2024 Open National Championships will be held at Montréal’s Centre Pierre-Charbonneau.

Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada

For more information:

Patrick Esparbès
Chief Operating Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org