Overview

In Ontario, it is legal to host amateur and professional combative sport events if you have permission from the Commissioner of the Ontario Athletics Commission.

Ministry-recognized provincial sport organizations are also allowed to hold and sanction amateur events.

Amateur combative sports

Learn about the requirements to hold a legal contest or exhibition, including how to get a permit, and the rules you must follow.

Professional combative sports

Learn about the requirements to hold a legal contest or exhibition, including licences, getting an event permit and the rules you must follow.

Ontario Athletics Commission

The Ontario Athletics Commission is part of the Ministry of Sport.

The Commissioner oversees the conduct of professional combative sports and is responsible for:

  • licensing professional promoters, contestants, matchmakers, seconds, and officials to participate in or plan professional events
  • issuing event permits
  • upholding rules
  • protecting athlete safety
  • maintaining the integrity of the sport

The Commissioner also oversees amateur combative sport events and issues amateur event permits.

Combative Sport Advisory Council

The Combative Sport Advisory Council is made up of combative sport experts who advise the Ontario government on technical sport rules and health and safety issues.

The expert advice from the council provides the province with added assurance that combative sport rules are safe and aligned with international standards.

The law

Professional and amateur combative sport contests and exhibitions are governed by the Combative Sports Act, 2019 and its regulations.

The Act sets out the legislative framework that establishes a modern system of oversight for combative sports in Ontario.

Who it applies to

Combative sport participants, such as promoters, contestants, managers, seconds, matchmakers and officials, are legally obligated to comply with the requirements of the Act and its regulations.

What it covers

The Act and the “General” regulation set out various legislative and regulatory requirements and aspects, including:

  • definitions (for example, scope of combative sports)
  • licensing requirements for professional combative sport participants
  • permit requirements to hold professional and amateur combative sport events
  • enforcement details

Resources

Anti-Doping Policy

As a professional contestant, you may be randomly tested during a contest or exhibition for prohibited substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s List of Prohibited Substances. Know your responsibilities.