Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Opening Ceremony

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Athlete Marshaling Location: St. John’s Convention Centre, 101 New Gower St., St. John’s

Marshalling Time: 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm

Ceremony Location: Mary Brown’s Centre - 50 New Gower St., St. John’s

Ceremony Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Opening Ceremony - In a Place Like No Other

The Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s will be a time for athletes and their families to meet their hosts. They will connect by sharing stories, discovering the richness of the local culture, and enjoying the natural beauty of the landscape. The athletes’ warm welcome this evening will set the stage for two unforgettable weeks of competition.

Athlete Marshalling Plan:

For the Opening Ceremony, athletes are fed at the Games Village at Memorial University and are then bussed by provincial and territorial team to the St. John’s Convention Centre (SJCC). Athletes will board approximately 65 individually numbered buses and travel three kilometres to the SJCC, arriving approximately 60-75 minutes before the ceremony begins. Be sure to bring your water bottle as refill stations are available inside the SJCC.

Members of the Athlete Parade Marshalling Team will greet each individual bus, assemble each provincial and territorial team, and then escort them to their respective holding area inside the SJCC. 

The Athlete Parade Manager will marshall the athletes to the Mary Brown’s Centre across the street. Provincial and territorial teams will be called out in parade order. Members of the marshaling team will escort each province and territory to the Mary Brown’s Centre. Once the parade begins the team will be led in by their placard bearer. 

At the end of the ceremony, athletes will return to the original numbered bus they arrived on and will return to the Village. 

Closing Ceremony, presented by Keyin College 

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025

Athlete Marshaling Location: St. John’s Convention Centre, 101 New Gower St., St. John’s

Marshalling Time: 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm

Ceremony Location: Mary Brown’s Centre - 50 New Gower St., St. John’s

Ceremony Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Closing Ceremony - “A Celebration for All”

The Closing Ceremony of the 2025 Canada Games is a grand celebration of achievements that resonate in every heart. It’s a time to honour the extraordinary dedication of our athletes, who have brought their dreams to life during these enchanting two weeks. It is also an opportunity to cast a spotlight on the relentless spirit of coaches and their teams, whose passion fuels excellence. And finally, express our deep appreciation for the countless volunteers and organizers, whose selfless contributions have created an event that will be remembered for years to come.

Athlete Marshalling Plan:

For the Closing Ceremony, athletes are fed and then transported by provincial and territorial team from the Games Village. The same marshaling details for the Opening Ceremony are used for the Closing Ceremony. However unlike the Opening Ceremony, the Closing Ceremony will see ALL athletes assembled and standing on the floor of the Mary Brown’s Centre in order to facilitate the celebratory mood and party-like atmosphere. Those in wheelchairs or in need of assistance will have raised viewing and seating areas available within the celebration space. 

At the end of the show, the spectators are asked to momentarily remain in their seats and the Show Caller announces on the PA system that each team will depart the venue. Members of the athlete parade marshaling team lead them out via the Arena loading dock doors. Upon exit, athletes will return to the original numbered bus they arrived on and once the lead buses have been filled, will transport the athletes back to the Village.