Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB)?

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) is funded by Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS)

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB)?

You can contact Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS).

Q: Where is the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) available?

The Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program is available the province of ON.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports major events boosting tourism and economic impact in Ontario

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 20% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster grant provides funding up to 20% of eligible event expenses for large-scale, high-impact events that draw significant tourism to Ontario. Eligible activities include programming, production costs, media buys targeting tourist markets, and event security services.

Financing terms and conditions

Eligible to apply for up to a maximum of 20% of eligible Blockbuster event cash operating expenses.
The value of in-kind expenses is not included in the determination of Blockbuster event cash operating expenses.
Funding will only cover eligible expenses directly related to the delivery of the Blockbuster event.
There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applications.
All funding decisions are made by the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
If funds are not used for the intended purpose, the province has the right to recover parts or all of the funds transferred.

Activities funded

Hosting of large-scale, high-impact events defined as Blockbuster events by the ministry.
Organizing major one-time national or international events taking place in Ontario.
Arranging major events that recur infrequently in Ontario and travel nationally or internationally.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 20,000

Upgrade the IT infrastructure in the public library

$ 14,000

Develop a local business mentorship program

$ 8,000

Launch a sustainable urban gardening initiative

$ 40,000

Implement a renewable energy system for community center

$ 12,000

Implement an online booking system for art classes

$ 95,000

Start a craft beer brewery with local ingredients

Eligibility

Eligible applicant organizations must be legal entities and have existed for one year or longer as of the date of submission of the application.
The applicant must have a Canadian bank account at a Canadian financial institution conducting business in Ontario.
The applicant must not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
Eligible applicants include Ontario municipalities with a tourism strategy that includes hosting major events, and for-profit or non-profit organizations that have event management and/or hosting as part of their mandate.
The applicant must demonstrate proven organizational ability, technical capacity, and fiscal prudence to successfully host a Blockbuster event.

Who is eligible?

Ontario municipalities that have identified hosting major events as part of their tourism strategy
For-profit or non-profit organizations (or groups of organizations) that have event management and/or hosting as part of their mandate

Who is not eligible

Events that are still in the bidding process.
Amateur sporting events that are receiving funding under the Ontario Sport Hosting Program.
Events that recur in Ontario on an annual or biennial basis.
Events that seek to attract only a special interest audience or recruit new members, such as religious or political gatherings and workshops.
Trade fairs, events of a primarily commercial nature, including consumer shows, symposia, conventions, meetings and conferences, seminars and clinics.

Eligible expenses

Performance and appearance fees paid to artists, musicians, and other entertainers and presenters, including travel, accommodation, and booking costs.
Programming costs, including interactive, experiential and/or accessible programming.
Production costs, including audio and visual support such as rental of sound and lighting equipment and rental of event venue.
Insurance for artworks specific to a blockbuster exhibit as an eligible production cost.
Media buys targeting Ontario audiences residing 40 kilometres or more from the event location.
Media buys targeting out-of-province tourists, including broadcast, digital, print, social, and out-of-home advertising space.
Event security costs.
Accessibility services and improvements to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, specifically related to programming for the Blockbuster event.

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario, Canada

Selection criteria

Organizational Capacity and Financial Statements: 20%
Event Information and Alignment with Program Objectives & Priorities: 30% (Includes Event Cash Budget, Marketing Plan, Economic Impact Report)
Full Marketing Plan, including Tourism Marketing Plan: 10%
Partnerships: 10%
Impact: Performance Measures and Tracking of Results: 25%
Event Budget: 5%
Additional points for rural or northern events, or events that take place over the non-peak season: 5 points are allocated.

How to apply

Preliminary Steps and Consultation

Read the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Application Guide thoroughly.
Consult with the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Program Lead or a Regional Tourism Advisor to discuss your event proposal.

Accessing the Application Platform

Create or access your ONe-key account to gain secure entry to the Government of Ontario system.

Prepare and Gather Required Documents

Complete the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Application Form, ensuring it is electronically signed and dated.
Attach incorporation documents for your organization in the Transfer Payment Ontario System (if not already submitted).
Prepare the most recent audited financial statements by a Chartered Public Accountant.
Develop an economic assessment report estimating the event's economic impact using TREIM or a third-party impact report.
Draft a detailed Marketing Plan that aligns with projected event attendance numbers.

Submit the Application

Submit the complete application via the Transfer Payment Ontario System at least four months prior to the event date.
Ensure that all mandatory documents are uploaded.
Verify successful submission by checking for an email confirmation within 24 hours of submission.

Follow-up and Additional Information

Contact Transfer Payment Client Service if the confirmation of submission is not received.
Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by the ministry before the application is evaluated.

Additional information

PDF forms must be accessed and filled using the latest version of Adobe Reader to ensure functionality.
The application process involves creating or accessing a "ONe-key" account for secure access within the Government of Ontario system.
Applications must be submitted at least four months prior to the proposed event start date.
All successful applicants are required to have $2 million in commercial general liability insurance during the validity period of the grant agreement.
The Ministry expects grant recipients to comply with all applicable laws, including the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Acknowledge Ontario's support in event-related media as per ministry directives.
Grant recipients may be subject to audits by the province to ensure accuracy of information and proper use of funds.
No appeal process is available for unsuccessful applicants.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB)?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB)?

Who is eligible for the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program?

To be eligible for the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program, you must: Applicant organizations must be legal entities and have existed for one year or longer by the date of application submission. Applicants must have a Canadian bank account at a financial institution conducting business in Ontario. Applicants should not be in default of any grant or loan agreement terms with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.