Sports Writing 2026
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Application Deadline: April 8, 2026
Program Dates: October 5 – 16, 2026
This two-week residency encourages the exploration of new ideas in sports writing. Designed to challenge and stimulate, the program aims to inspire creative pieces of sports-focused non-fiction and to assist the writers in their completion.
A preeminent space for long-form journalism, this residency emphasizes the strengths of thorough and articulate reporting, distinctive storytelling and literary devices.
This two-week self-directed residency offers time and space for writers to focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice. In addition to a single room and a small private studio, participants will be able to engage with other writers on the program. As a flexible self-guided program with optional elements, the Sports Writing residency allows participants to choose the amount of support they are looking for.
Optional program elements include:
- Talks from faculty members Dave Bidini, Morgan Campbell, Mirin Fader and professional guest Jamie Ross (The Globe & Mail)
- Q & A sessions
- Public readings
- One-on-one mentoring with faculty to discuss ideas, experiences, and writing obstacles
Sports Writing is designed for writers seeking a professional development opportunity in a community of peers with the guidance of an experienced writer/editor, as each participant prepares a long form piece.
Applicants should be experienced professionals, active in the diversified fields of sports writing, including print or electronic media. This program is open to fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, freelance critics or curators, artists, and academics, with an emphasis on those who can write for a lay audience with logic, vigour, and charm—and those who have a portfolio to prove it.
Scholarships available.
For more information and to apply banffcentre.ca.
