ParaTough Cup: Compete. Fundraise. Make an impact.

What started as a bold idea in 2017 has become one of Canada’s most exciting and impactful fundraising events. ParaTough Cup, created by the Paralympic Foundation of Canada (PFC), has raised more than $2.5 million to help ignite Para sport development across the country.

“The ParaTough Cup is remarkable – it flips the script on accessibility and inclusion,” says Robert Cassius de Linval, chair of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada. “Instead of focusing on making events accessible for people with a disability, this event puts able-bodied participants in the position of experiencing just how demanding Para sport truly is. It changes your perspective: this is elite sport, performed by athletes with a disability.

“ParaTough Cup shows that accessibility and inclusion don’t just benefit people with a disability – they make our entire community stronger. By raising funds, we’re building accessibility into every layer of society and sending a clear message: every Canadian matters. That’s the future we should all be working toward, and that’s why I return to the ParaTough Cup year after year.”

The event format is simple: corporate teams come together to compete in Paralympic sports such as sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and Para ice hockey. They’re guided by Paralympians and community coaches – creating an immersive, high-energy event that fosters empathy, connection, and impact.

“It’s a brilliant event,” shares long-time supporter Patrick Jarvis, a Paralympian himself. “Not just for the funds it raises, but for the awareness it builds. People walk away with a deeper understanding of what Para sport is all about. That kind of engagement is priceless.”

The inaugural event took place in Toronto in 2017 and quickly expanded to Montréal, Calgary, and Vancouver. Leadership from Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) partners has been key to the ParaTough Cup’s success, helping it grow year after year. For the 2025/2026 season, each event is supported by a presenting partner: Air Canada in Vancouver, Pfizer Canada in Montreal, Petro-Canada in Calgary, and Canadian Tire Centre in Toronto. Across all cities, lululemon is proud to join as a supporting partner.

“Our partners are at the heart of what makes the ParaTough Cup so special,” says François Robert, Chief Commercial Officer of CPC. “They don’t just sponsor the event, they show up, they compete, and they become ambassadors for the Paralympic Movement in Canada. Their continued commitment helps ensure that the future of Canada’s Paralympic teams is bright, inclusive, and built on a strong foundation of opportunity.”

The impact of ParaTough Cup has now gone global. Paralympics Australia, with the support of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, introduced its own version of the event to power its fundraising efforts and grow awareness of Para sport across Australia.

“We are so proud of what ParaTough Cup has become,” says Karen O’Neill, CEO of CPC. “What began as a pilot idea has turned into an annual event, an event that staff from our partner organizations look forward to each and every year. It’s created a real sense of connection to Para sport and has made an extraordinary impact for athletes across Canada.”

The community champions that make it possible

Each year, it’s the dedication of community Para sport organizations at the core of every event that makes ParaTough Cup possible.

From providing wheelchairs and Para ice hockey sleds, to setting up courts and ensuring every participant is safe and ready to compete, organizations like BC Wheelchair Basketball Society, SportAbility BC, Abilities Centre Ottawa, the Ontario Para Network, Parasports Québec, CSKC Consulting,  and Calgary Rocky Mountain Rollers Wheelchair Society make the event possible.

At every event, community partners train participants, guide them through challenges, and create an atmosphere that is both competitive and welcoming. For these organizations, ParaTough Cup is more than just one day – it’s a platform to showcase their work year-round and raise awareness for the athletes, coaches, and volunteers who make up Canada’s Para sport community.

“The Canadian sport community is a big family, and these community sport organizations are at the heart of it,” says O’Neill. “Their commitment to growing Para sport at the local level is what makes events like the ParaTough Cup so special. We’re incredibly grateful for their partnership and for the work they do to create inclusive sport opportunities across the country.”

Are you ready to see if you and your team are ParaTough? Click here to find out more about registering your team for an upcoming ParaTough Cup event.

Upcoming 2025/26 ParaTough Cup events: