The Calgary National Bank Challenger (Challenger) was named the 2023 Sponsorship Initiative Award Winner at the STC Prestige Awards in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Prestige Awards recognize exceptional sport tourism initiatives, multi-sport games and Canada’s best national and international events. The Awards are Canada’s largest annual gathering of sport and tourism professionals, event managers and industry suppliers.
STC Canadian Sport Event Sponsorship Initiative of the Year Award recognizes the best use of a partnership between a company, organization, agency, or individual that contributed to the overall success of a national or international sport event held in Canada. The Challenger was previously a finalist for the award in 2022.
“We are honoured to be recognized by Sport Tourism Canada as this year’s recipient of the Sponsorship Initiative Award. Canada has an exceptional track record of delivering world-class events and to be recognized one of Canada’s premier sporting events in Canada, is a great honour for our event and organizing committee”, said Danny Da Costa, CEO of the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre and Tournament Director for the Calgary National Bank Challenger.
The Calgary National Bank Challenger has quickly emerged as one of the premier sporting events in Alberta, with 13,112 spectators attending the event in 2023. The Challenger generated $3.67 million dollars in economic impact for the local and provincial economy, and it delivered over a million minutes of live-streaming coverage to an international audience in over 120 countries. In 2023, the Challenger became the first International Tennis Federation W60 event in Canada to offer paid hospitality for women’s players. The Challenger was also rated among the best ATP Challenger events in the world by players, coaches, and tournament officials as part of the ATP Challenger Tour player surveys in 2023.
The Challenger is currently the largest international tennis tournament in Canada outside of the National Bank Open (ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event). The Challenger features many of the best up-and-coming and established stars on the ATP & WTA World Tour. Last year’s champions were rising Canadian Tennis Star Liam Draxl, a member of Canada’s 2024 Davis Cup team. Draxl, a former U of Kentucky Wildcat, was formerly #1 ranked tennis player in the NCAAs. The women’s title was captured by former World #12 and 2013 Wimbledon Singles Finalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany. Lisicki, who has battled injuries in her career, won her first title in 9 years in Calgary after coming back from total knee reconstruction. The Challenger takes place October 13 to 20, 2024 at the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre. Tickets are now on sale. For more information on visit Calgary National Bank Challenger website
