Athletic park tournament/special event rentals
Do I need a special event or tournament application?
Special events, tournaments and track meets are separate from regular A, B & C-class field bookings or renewals. A Special Event and Tournament application must be submitted if your event includes/requires approval for:
- Filming/Photography
- BBQ’s (propane only)
- Bouncy Castles
- Food sales/service (permit required and provided to the City of Calgary)
- Electrical hook-up
- Generators
- Liquor Sales/Service (AGLC permit required – additional hourly rate for security of $35.00/hour/security guard will be added to permit)
- Sound system
- Access to water
- Portisans (portable toilet)
- Tents – must not exceed 600 sq ft
- Stage – must not exceed 600 sq ft
- Banners/Signs to be hung
- Merchandise Sales (type)
- Tournament Fee (Softball diamonds only)
Alcohol permits
All athletic park special events, tournaments and track meets where alcohol has been approved by site staff and where an appropriate AGLC permit has been presented for the date(s) of the event will be subject to an additional charge of $35.00/hour/security guard.
This additional fee will be identified as an extra fee on the firmed permit, to cover the cost of corporate security staff for the event. Groups will no longer be permitted to organize their own security where alcohol is being consumed on site. Once the appropriate AGLC permit has been presented to/confirmed by the site staff, security will be arranged for the event by the site staff, on behalf of the user group. The number of required security officers will be determined based on group/event size. Alcohol can only be consumed in a designated area on site, as determined during the site visit.
Groups that are selling alcohol to invited guests only at their event are required to present a private (resale) license from the AGLC to the site staff a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event date.
Groups that are providing alcohol to invited guests only free of charge at their event are required to present a private (non-sale) license from the AGLC to the site staff a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event date.
Rates and fees
Field rates before addition of special event & tournament fees
2025 rental rates
Prices include GST.
| Field/diamond description | Adult rate | Minor rate |
|---|---|---|
|
"A" CLASSIFICATION - Foothills Stadium Staff onsite and amenities such as washrooms, lights, change rooms and possibly concessions. Higher standard of facility and playing surface. Field maintenance increases based on use and type of event. |
$121.80/hr |
$60.95/hr |
|
"B" CLASSIFICATION Most City athletic park fields.May have staff and/or amenities such as seating, lights, change rooms, washrooms (some portable) and concessions. Higher level of maintenance; grass cutting, dragging of diamonds, shale infield, bases, and corner soccer flags supplied. |
$90.65/hr |
$45.05/hr |
|
"C" CLASSIFICATION Pop Davies, Woodbine, Optimist #13No staff onsite, limited amenities, reduced levels of turf management. |
$60.50/hr |
$30.35/hr |
| Ball tournaments - softball, baseball or slo pitch | Rates |
|---|---|
|
Adult |
$59.20/hr |
|
Minor |
$29.70/hr |
| Rates apply to groups requesting 2 or more diamonds at approximately the same time, at the same athletic park. Additional fees may apply based on requests. |
| Track and field | Criteria | Rates |
|---|---|---|
|
Adult/Minor |
General Public |
$111.89/hr |
|
Track practice |
Calgary Senior High School Athletics, School Groups & Calgary Track Council |
$47.96/hr |
|
Track meet Note: Track Meets require Special Event Approval. You can learn more on Athletic park tournament/special event rentals |
Calgary Senior High School Athletics, School Groups & Calgary Track Council |
$73.55/hr |
| McMahon Stadium rentals | Rates |
|---|---|
|
Adult |
$175.36/hr |
|
Minor |
$138.25/hr |
|
Locker rooms |
$22.04/hr |
| Artificial Turf Fields - Shouldice, Ernest Manning, & Calgary Soccer Centre | Rates |
|---|---|
|
Adult |
$158.50/hr |
|
Minor |
$124.95/hr |
| Velodrome at Glenmore Athletic Park | Rates |
|---|---|
|
Adult/Minor |
$27.32/hr |
2024 tournament fees
| Special event & tournament fees | Rates |
|---|---|
|
Administration fee (non refundable) Application will be sent to the appropriate park for review when this fee is paid. Applicants will be contacted with payment instructions. |
$26.25 |
|
Security Guard Required when alcohol has been approved by site staff and where an appropriate AGLC permit has been acquired. |
$35.00/hr |
|
*Minor ball tournaments |
$29.73/hr |
|
*Adult ball tournaments |
$59.20/hr |
*Rates apply to groups requesting 2 or more diamonds at approximately the same time, at the same athletic park. Additional fees may apply based on requests.
Additional fees may be incurred by the user group where site staff deem appropriate to charge.
An initial payment of 25% of the total rental cost is due seven (7) days after the permit has been firmed, upon approval of your event. This initial payment is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the first booking date on the permit. The application will be reviewed by the athletic park staff, which will provide specific permissions for use of BBQ's, tents, etc. This process can take up to two weeks.
Booking schedule
Applications are accepted year round, however priority is given for applications submitted by December 1 of the current year for the following year's season.
Applications for special events, tournaments, and track meets received between December 2 of the current year and March 1 of the following year are subject to longer processing times (several weeks) due to renewal season permit processing. Although the regular season runs approximately from the beginning of April to end of October (depending on facility), applications are still required for groups planning events.
Festival and event process (if any of the items below are applicable)
| Event requirements | Application deadlines |
|---|---|
|
*Tents/structures exceeding 600 sq ft (combined area) |
90 days notice prior to the event date. |
|
*Open flames or fireworks |
90 days notice prior to the event date. |
|
*Alcohol sales to the public |
90 days notice prior to the event date. |
|
*Roadway/sidewalk closures |
90 days notice prior to the event date. |
|
Regular (no special requirements) |
30 days notice prior to the event date. |
|
Short notice (considered but not guaranteed - subject to availability) |
Less than 30 days notice (not recommended). |
*Contact Event Services for information and booking at eventservices@calgary.ca no less than 90 days prior to your planned event. Visit planning a festival or event for more information.
Renewal rights
Events that remain unchanged for 2 consecutive years may qualify for automatic renewal the following year. Applications must be submitted annually to confirm your intent.
Availability & booking
Special event, tournament and track meet booking (not events that fall under Festivals and Events as outlined above) requests must be made by submitting an athletic park special event and tournament application form. It can take up to 7 business days to process after public day has occurred, and is then sent to the site staff for approval. Upon approval you will be sent a permit.