Event Sponsorship

Why the Oval Matters

Sport and sport facilities deserves the same societal role as literature, performing arts, sculpture, cinema, and other expressions of human culture, skill, and creativity. Like many arts, sports have rules and expectations that their most creative and memorable practitioners find ways to bend or move in a new direction. Sport may be enjoyed directly—even if you are an amateur—and viewed as a spectator when one wants to watch an expert performance. Sport can especially provide collective joy, civic pride and even elements of transcendence that the finest art aspires to.

The Olympic Oval works tirelessly to provide a dynamic, innovative culture that promotes and celebrates participation and excellence. It is a values-based and principle-driven culture.

Demographics

The Oval tracks over 550,000 guest attendees, including athletes, spectators, UCalgary staff, faculty, and students. Guests come from all over Alberta, with 54% from Calgary, 25% from bedroom communities, 8% from within the province, 11% from within Canada, and the remaining 2% international.

The Oval's appeal spans generations, with 65% of our Calgary guests located in the NW. The remaining 20% are from the SW, 10% from the NE, and 5% from the SW. Our guest ages are diverse, with 12% under 18, 25% aged 18-24, 15% aged 25-34, 17% aged 35-44, and 17% aged 45-54.

The Oval's attendees are financially stable, with a median household income of $98,000. The education breakdown is also impressive, with 40% holding a University degree, 17% with a college diploma, 25% with a high school diploma, 10% as an apprentice and 8% with certifications, badges or training documentation.

Our social media channels include 3,000 Instagram followers, 3,0000 X followers, 4,000 Facebook followers and 3,500 YouTube subscribers. Our website (oval.ucalgary.ca) tracks over 600,000 page views (an increase of 40% from 2022) and nearly 135,000 new visitors.

Community Engagement

Communities are in desperate need of facilities that are easily accessible. Most people don’t think of public skating as fitness, but they see the effects— cognitive improvement, joint and muscle health, weight loss, stress management and mental wellness. As health and well-being become more important, the Oval is working tirelessly to be a place where anyone can come and enjoy the many health benefits of skating and running. Thousands come every year, and we hope to be a place where thousands more can discover skating and running in a welcoming, diverse, inclusive and safe environment. Organizations partnering with the Oval can have positive associations—an effective tool for showcasing the value of an organization and its impact on a community. Furthermore, it increases brand equity, consumer perception, and value. Brand equity directly impacts sales volume and a company’s profitability as consumers gravitate toward products and services with great reputations.

Return on Investment

The benefits of sponsoring an event at the Olympic Oval.

• Thousands of public skaters.
• Community Engagement.
• Valuable demographics.
• Large impact messaging.
• Raising your brand’s awareness.
• High quality and guaranteed visibility.