As the world of sports continues to grow and evolve, organizations need professionals who understand business, management, leadership, and the wider sports sector. Canada offers universities with programs and study pathways related to sport management, recreation, kinesiology, and sport sciences.
So, if you’re looking for a program that can help you develop the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to pursue a career in this field, consider Canada as your study destination. In this article, we’ll introduce five Canadian universities with sports-management-related study options.
Top Schools Offering Sports Management in Canada
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a strong option for students interested in sports-related study. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the university placed sixth globally for sports-related subjects.
The Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education offers a Bachelor of Kinesiology and several graduate programs. Students interested in sport management can review KPE429H1 Sport Management, a course that introduces management concepts related to the business of sport in Canadian contexts. At the graduate level, the full-time, 12-month Master of Sport Sciences covers areas such as sport coaching and performance, sport integrity, and sport analytics. It includes either a structured placement or a capstone project.
Students in the Bachelor of Kinesiology program can also pursue in-field learning opportunities connected with healthcare, sport, and physical activity institutions in downtown Toronto.
2. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia offers several pathways that may interest students considering careers related to sport, leadership, and management.
At UBC’s Vancouver campus, the School of Kinesiology offers a four-year Bachelor of Kinesiology. Its Social and Behavioural Sciences stream prepares students for leadership and instructional careers in a variety of physical activity and sport settings in public and private organizations.
Rather than a named Bachelor of Kinesiology in Sports Management, UBC offers Bachelor of Kinesiology students the option to combine their degree with the Master of Management program from the Sauder School of Business. This dual-degree pathway can be completed in 4.5 years. Experienced sport coaches and technical leaders can also review the three-year, 30-credit Master of High Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership.
3. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta offers study options for students interested in recreation, sport, and management.
The university currently holds a Gold rating under the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Students interested in sport management can review the Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport and Tourism, which offers the option to pursue a minor in Sport and Recreation Management. At the graduate level, the university also offers a Sport and Recreation Management Graduate Certificate designed to strengthen professional management and leadership skills in recreation and sport.
4. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa offers programs for students who want to learn about recreation and sport management.
At the undergraduate level, the university offers an Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics – Recreation and Sport Management. The program prepares students with the knowledge and practical experience needed for careers in sport, leisure, physical activity organizations, and management.
At the graduate level, the Master of Human Kinetics with Concentration in Sport Management is a full-time, course-based program designed to be completed in 12 consecutive months. It covers subjects such as marketing, finance, organizational behavior, organizational theory, and legal issues. A supervised internship is a central part of the program.
The University of Ottawa also provides an online directory of scholarships and bursaries. Eligibility requirements vary, so applicants should check the conditions for each form of financial support.
5. University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick offers undergraduate and graduate programs related to recreation, sport, and management.
The four-year Bachelor of Recreation and Sport Studies is described by the university as the only program of its kind in Canada, combining recreation and sport science in one degree. Students can choose from management, education preparation, and wellness streams. The management stream includes a full-term professional internship.
The university also offers a separate MBA in Sport and Recreation Management, which it describes as Canada’s only MBA in this field. The program combines business and kinesiology courses with study in areas such as marketing, finance, public relations, human resources, and strategic planning.
Recent internship opportunities listed by the university include national and provincial recreation and sport organizations, the Commonwealth and Canada Games, junior hockey teams, and Hockey Alberta.
The universities in this article offer different approaches to sports-management-related education. Some provide named degrees or concentrations in sport management, while others offer recreation, kinesiology, sport-science, or business pathways that can support related career goals.
We hope this article about the Best Sports Management Schools in Canada was informative. For more information, visit the Canada Scholarships Page and Available Courses for International Students!
