Overview

The Combative Sports Act, 2019, and its regulations set out the rules and requirements to host legal amateur combative sport events and include official rulesets.

You may contact a ministry-recognized Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) directly for permission to hold an event or apply for an event permit from the Commissioner of the Ontario Athletics Commission.

Official rulesets

These are the official rulesets for holding amateur combative sport events in Ontario.

Use a modified ruleset

If you want to hold an amateur combative sport contest or exhibition using a modified ruleset, you must submit a ruleset exemption request.

At least 120 days before your event, submit your ruleset highlighting the differences from the approved ruleset in the “Rules for Combative Sport” regulation, including rationale, and the exemption request to AthleticsComm@ontario.ca.

A decision will be communicated with you by email.

Request a new ruleset

If you want to hold an amateur combative sport contest or exhibition for a sport that does not currently have an official ruleset, you must submit a new ruleset for minister approval.

At least 120 days before your event, submit your ruleset, including rationale, along with the request to AthleticsComm@ontario.ca.

A decision will be communicated with you by email.

Permission from a provincial sport organization

Get permission to host an amateur combative sport event by contacting a PSO directly about event sanctioning for a contest or exhibition in the sport that the PSO is recognized for.

There are 10 ministry-recognized PSOs for amateur combative sports:

Apply for an event permit

Get permission to host an amateur combative sport event by getting an event permit from the Ontario Athletics Commission.

You must submit your application at least 30 days before the date of your proposed event.

If you plan to host multiple contests or exhibitions, you must submit your application at least 30 days before the first proposed event. Additional event information must be submitted to the Commissioner 30 days before each subsequent event.

How to apply

  1. Fill out the event permit application form.
  2. Pay the required permit fee.

Form and required documents

As part of your event permit application, you must submit an event application form and the following required documents:

  • a non-refundable application fee:
    • $600 for an event permit to hold a single amateur combative sport contest or exhibition.
    • $1,600 for an event permit to hold a tournament-style amateur combative sport contest or exhibition.
    • $3,000 for an event permit to hold up to eight single amateur combative sport contests or exhibitions.
  • valid photo identification
  • copy of any partnership agreement or proof of incorporation (if applicable)
  • copy of a code of conduct governing the contest or exhibition
  • copy of policies, protocols and requirements for the qualification and selection of officials
  • copy of the emergency response policies and procedures for the amateur combative sport contest or exhibition
  • certificate of insurance that provides proof of commercial general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $2,000,000
  • a list of all onsite medical personnel, including job titles and contact information
  • a letter of undertaking confirming availability of the venue on the proposed date and time
  • proof that the minister approved a request for an exemption from rules prescribed under clause 49 (1) (b) of the Act or a proposal for a new rule set for the purposes of the applicant’s proposed amateur combative sport contest or exhibition (if applicable)

If you are approved for a permit

The Commissioner will notify you by email.

Permit terms and conditions

Once you have an event permit, you must adhere to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to:

  • The permit holder must maintain amateur books of contestant suspensions, injuries, results of contests, prohibitions or other limitations, and ensure that contestants under suspension or other limitations in effect do not compete.
  • The permit holder must submit a post-event report no later than 14 days after the contest or exhibition.
  • If the contest or exhibition rules allow full-contact strikes to the head, there are additional terms and conditions:
    • A physician licensed and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario must be present at all times for the duration of the event.
    • All contestants must have a medical examination completed by a legally qualified medical practitioner no more than one year before the date of the event indicating the contestant is fit to participate in the contest or exhibition.

If you are denied a permit

The Commissioner will notify you by email.

If the Commissioner refuses, suspends or cancels a permit to host an event, the decision may be appealed to the Licence Appeals Tribunal — General Service.

When an event permit is not required

An amateur combative sport contest or exhibition may be held without an event permit if:

  • The contest or exhibition will permit only light contact.
    • “light contact” means the use of combative sport techniques in a controlled manner so that any physical contact is not intended or reasonably expected to result in physical harm to the opponent.
  • The contest or exhibition is only for the sport of wrestling and is held as part of the curriculum or extra-curricular programming of a school or private school within the meaning of the Education Act, a university or a college and includes a contest or exhibition provided or sanctioned by an athletic association for such a purpose.
  • The contest or exhibition is held by a provincial sport organization recognized by the ministry with respect to the particular combative sport.
  • The contest or exhibition is held with the permission of a provincial sports organization recognized by the ministry with respect to the particular combative sport.

Inspections

An amateur combative sport contest or exhibition could be inspected by an inspector from the Ontario Athletics Commission to ensure that the event is held in accordance with:

Violations could result in consequences, such as compliance orders and/or administrative penalties.

The administrative penalty framework is progressive, with more significant penalties for repeat offenders and contraventions that present serious health and/or safety concerns.

Appeals

There are no administrative penalty appeals permitted under the Act. However, you may request a review of a notice of administrative penalty by the designated ministry staff (such as a designated senior employee).