Jumpstart Launches Plan for 25 Free Soccer Pitches Across Canada

TORONTO, ON – May 21, 2026 – Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities today announced a landmark national initiative to combat the rising cost of youth sports by building 25 new, inclusive community soccer pitches across Canada by 2029. The multi-year commitment, one of the charity's largest infrastructure investments to date, aims to provide free and accessible spaces for play in a country where soccer is the most popular youth sport, yet increasingly out of reach for many families.

The first of these pitches officially opened today at Toronto's vibrant Harbourfront Centre, marking the beginning of a nationwide rollout designed to create lasting hubs for community connection and physical activity. The initiative is a direct response to a growing affordability crisis in organized sports that threatens to sideline a generation of young athletes.

Tackling the Youth Sports Affordability Crisis

For families across Canada, the price of participation in organized sports has become a significant barrier. A 2023 'State of Youth Sport in Canada' report, commissioned by Jumpstart, revealed stark realities: the average cost for one child to play a single sport for a year is approximately $900. Consequently, nearly half of Canadian youth are not currently enrolled in organized sports, with 61% of those who have stopped playing or never started citing cost as the primary obstacle.

This new initiative directly confronts this challenge by creating high-quality, entirely free-to-use facilities in the heart of communities. By removing the financial barrier of expensive facility rentals and club fees, these pitches are designed to level the playing field.

"When kids have safe, welcoming places to play close to home, it can change their relationship with sport entirely," said Marco Di Buono, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, in a statement. "These pitches are about much more than soccer. They're about creating spaces where kids can build confidence, feel connected, and simply have the opportunity to play."

The data supports this vision. The same report highlighted that 94% of parents believe organized sport positively impacts their child's mental health. By providing accessible infrastructure, the project aims not only to foster physical fitness but also to promote crucial social and emotional development.

A Blueprint for Public-Private Collaboration

Bringing a project of this scale to life requires a multi-faceted partnership, and this initiative serves as a powerful example of public and private sector collaboration. The Government of Canada, through Sport Canada, has committed $2,165,000 to the project, recognizing its alignment with national goals for community sport development and public health.

"Our new government is using sport as our ultimate nation-building tool – that means investing in both places and people," stated The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) and Canada's FIFA Sherpa. "Communities also need sport infrastructure that provides access and opportunities to play. This initiative will help remove barriers to participation and create spaces where the next generation can grow, thrive and dream big."

This federal funding amplifies the core investment from Jumpstart, which is supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, local Canadian Tire Dealers, and CT Real Estate Investment Trust (CT REIT). This blended funding model demonstrates a strategic approach to tackling complex social issues, leveraging corporate social responsibility, charitable giving, and public funds to maximize impact. The collaboration ensures that the financial burden is shared and that the project benefits from the expertise and resources of each partner.

More Than a Field: Building Community Hubs

The vision for these 25 locations extends far beyond the turf and goalposts. Each pitch is conceived as a community hub, designed in partnership with local municipalities and organizations to meet specific local needs. This collaborative approach ensures the spaces are not just built but are also deeply integrated into the fabric of the community.

In Toronto, the partnership with Harbourfront Centre places the first pitch in a high-density, culturally diverse area with an established record of public programming. In Edmonton, Jumpstart is working with Free Play for Kids, a charity dedicated to providing free sport programming to vulnerable youth, to develop a multi-sport court. This ensures that the infrastructure is paired with targeted programming to reach the children who need it most.

These local partners will be instrumental in activating and sustaining the pitches over the long term. The plan includes a mix of structured community programming and ample opportunities for spontaneous, free play, allowing kids and families to gather, connect, and be active. By empowering local groups, the initiative fosters a sense of community ownership that is vital for the long-term success and maintenance of these public spaces.

A National Rollout with a Sustainable Future

The launch in Toronto is just the first step in an ambitious national plan. A second pitch opening is already scheduled for Surrey, British Columbia, on June 5, with up to eight pitches slated for completion across six provinces by the end of 2026. Locations in Edmonton and Winnipeg are also part of the initial phase, reflecting a commitment to reaching communities from coast to coast.

The long-term sustainability of these facilities is a core component of the strategy. By partnering with municipalities and established non-profits, Jumpstart is building a framework for ongoing maintenance and programming. This model, honed through Jumpstart's previous infrastructure projects like its Inclusive Playgrounds program, ensures that the initial investment continues to provide value for years to come.

Since its inception in 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities has created over 4.5 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get into the game by addressing financial, physical, and systemic barriers. This new focus on permanent, accessible infrastructure marks a significant evolution in its mission, creating a tangible legacy of play for communities across the country. By providing these free, welcoming spaces, the initiative aims to ensure that for the next generation of Canadian youth, a love for the game is the only price of admission.