Amateur combative sports
Learn about safe and legal participation in amateur combative sports contests.
Overview
In 2017, the Ontario government clarified the legal status of amateur combative sport through Order in Council 1087/2017.
This means that you may hold legal contests for 11 amateur combative sports if you have permission from a government-recognized Provincial Sport Organization (PSO).
Safe and legal amateur combative sport contests (PDF)
Ontario supports safe participation in amateur combative sports.
About Provincial Sport Organizations
A Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) is a not-for-profit organization that is recognized by the ministry as the governing body for a particular amateur sport in Ontario. It must be recognized in accordance with the province's Sport Recognition Policy.
The primary function of a PSO is to develop athletes, coaches and officials. There are currently 10 PSOs for 11 combative sports that are recognized by the Ontario government.
Ontario Combative Sport Advisory Council
The Ontario Combative Sport Advisory Council is a group of people recommended by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, as part of the Combative Sports Act, 2019. The act has not yet been proclaimed into force.
The council provides advice to the minister on:
- modernizing rules and aligning rule sets with leading jurisdictions
- setting out what sports are to be considered combative sports
- technical sport rules for amateur and professional combative sport contests (e.g., scoring, fouls)
- fees and eligible expenses to be paid to professional combative sport officials
- any other function necessary to facilitate the minister's administration of the CSA
List of designated sports and events
Browse a list of designated amateur combative sports, including:
- their specific Provincial Sport Organization
- links to sanctioned event listings
| Designated amateur combative sport | Provincial Sport Organization | Event listings |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing | Boxing Ontario | Find boxing events |
| Grappling | Ontario Grappling Association | Find grappling events |
| Jiu-Jitsu | Ontario Jiu-Jitsu Association | Find jiu-jitsu events |
| Judo | Judo Ontario | Find judo events |
| Karate | Karate Ontario Inc. | Find karate events |
| Kickboxing | Kickboxing Ontario | Find kickboxing events |
| Muay Thai | Muay Thai Ontario | Find Muay Thai events |
| Pankration | Ontario Grappling Association | Find pankration events |
| Taekwondo | Taekwondo Ontario | Find taekwondo events |
| Wrestling | Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association | Find wrestling events |
| Wushu | Wushu Ontario | Find wushu events |
Definition of a contest
When sanctioning contests, PSOs must adhere to:
- the definition of a contest
- all requirements as detailed in the Sport Recognition Policy
Contests that meet the definition of a prize fight must be sanctioned by a recognized PSO.
Section 83(2) of the Criminal Code defines a prize fight as “an encounter or fight with fists, hands or feet between two persons who have met for that purpose by previous arrangement made by or for them."
Special note on wrestling
Amateur contests for wrestling may be held by a school or university with the permission of a school or university athletic association or its affiliate.
These contests must adhere to the full competition requirements that are mandated by the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association.
Host a combative sport contest
To host a contest in an exempt amateur combative sport, the associated recognized PSO must sanction the contest.
The government has authorized 10 PSOs as the recognized sport bodies to sanction contests.
A contest not authorized by a recognized PSO in an exempt amateur combative sport could be deemed illegal and subject to prosecution.
Compete in a combative sport
Learn more about health and safety standards to inform your decision to participate in an amateur combative sport.
This includes obtaining information about first aid response and insurance policies that disclose:
- how injuries are handled
- the responsibilities of tournament or practice facility owners
Enforcement
Provincial or municipal police services are responsible for enforcing the Criminal Code.
Contact us
For more information, email sport@ontario.ca or contact your Provincial Sport Organization.