Canadian Native Fastball Championship returns to Prince George, bringing millions in economic impact

The championship marks the return of the national event following a four-year absence and has generated significant excitement among local organizers and the fastball community alike. Preparations at Spruce City Stadium have been underway for months as volunteers and organizers work to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.

While the focus will be on competition on the diamond, the impact of the event extends well beyond the ballpark.

Tourism Prince George estimates the championship will inject approximately $5 million into the local economy through hotel stays, restaurant visits, retail spending and other tourism-related activity.

“We’re looking at roughly $5 million in economic benefits just to the Prince George visitor economy,” said Tourism Prince George CEO Scott McWalter. “That includes our accommodations, our local restaurants, our shops. When you welcome over 60 teams with between 2,000 and 2,500 people to our community, they’re going to be spending their money. They’re going to be enjoying and embracing everything Prince George has to offer.”

The influx of visitors is expected to fill hotels, increase restaurant traffic and bring customers to businesses throughout the city. For local tourism officials, it is another example of how sporting events can serve as an important economic driver.

Earlier this year, representatives from the Spruce City Men’s Basketball League appeared before city council to highlight the value of investing in sports facilities and attracting major tournaments to Prince George. Organizers of the fastball championship say this week’s event demonstrates exactly why those investments matter.

“Everybody nowadays understands the price of everything,” said Desjarlais. “They don’t fully understand the value. We’re appreciative of the fact that council understood how we bring about $5 million per event into the community.”

He said those benefits are felt throughout the business community, from hotels and restaurants to local retail stores.

“That has a legacy on a lot of the restauranteurs, hotel owners and retail shops in the community,” Desjarlais said. “It does have a significant impact.”

Carrie Jane Gray Park has become one of Prince George’s premier softball destinations. In addition to Spruce City Stadium, the site features five additional ball diamonds, allowing organizers to host multiple divisions simultaneously.

According to Tourism Prince George, facilities like Carrie Jane Gray Park are helping the city strengthen its reputation as a sports tourism destination.

“We just finished the strategic plan for 2027 to 2031 and within that five-year strategic plan a large focus will be on sports tourism and sports events,” said McWalter. “The reason being is because Prince George does a phenomenal job as a host city.”

The organization sees significant potential for future growth in the sports tourism sector, particularly as communities across the province compete to attract major events. Prince George’s combination of facilities, volunteer support and community engagement continues to make it an attractive location for organizers.

For local fans, however, the biggest story may be what happens on the field.

Prince George’s hometown men’s team will be competing for a national title, adding another layer of excitement for spectators throughout the tournament.

“We have our local men’s team playing for a national championship,” said Desjarlais. “We’ve won it nine times, so we’d like to win another one.”

The team’s history of success has made it one of the tournament’s marquee attractions, and organizers are anticipating strong local support throughout the championship. Crowds are expected to fill the stands as fans cheer on the hometown squad against some of the country’s best Indigenous fastball teams.

Beyond the competition and economic benefits, Desjarlais says the event is also about inspiring the next generation of athletes.

He believes tournaments of this scale provide young people with positive role models and an opportunity to see elite-level competition up close. Watching skilled athletes compete at a national championship can motivate young players to get involved in sports and remain active in their communities.

That, he says, is one of the primary reasons volunteers and organizers dedicate countless hours to bringing events like this to Prince George.

As teams arrive from across the country and the first pitches are thrown this weekend, the Canadian Native Fastball Championship promises to deliver high-level competition, a boost for local businesses and an opportunity to showcase Prince George on the national stage.

For four days, the city will be at the centre of Canada’s Indigenous fastball community, proving once again that major sporting events can leave a lasting impact both on and off the field.

Organizers say the championship is about more than winning games, providing young athletes with inspiration while showcasing the city as a premier sports tourism destination.

by Cheryl Jahn

Canadian Native Fastball Championship returns to Prince George, bringing millions in economic impact

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