Council lifts ban on combative sports events in Edmonton
February 27, 2018


Today, City Council voted to remove the temporary restriction on combative sports events in Edmonton, effective immediately. 

A bylaw restricting permits or licences for combative sports events in Edmonton from being issued came into effect December 9, 2017. Council enacted the bylaw in response to recommendations from an independent, third party review following the death of Tim Hague after a boxing match in June 2017. The review resulted in 18 recommendations on how to improve fighter safety and strengthen overall industry oversight and monitoring in combative sports.

Council lifted the moratorium on combative sports events after reviewing progress reports from Administration and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission on work to implement priority safety recommendations. Administration and the Commission have been working with industry on how to increase fighter safety and strengthen industry stewardship.

“I am confident that satisfactory progress has been made on recommendations that will enhance fighter safety,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “Although more work remains to be done in improving combative sports regulation in Edmonton, the way has been cleared for combative sports to safely return to our city.”

Administration will bring another update on the progress in implementing the report recommendations to the May 23, 2018 Community and Public Services Committee meeting. The City continues to support and call on the province to establish a Province-wide Combative Sports Commission.
For more information:  

Media contact:  
Senior Communications Advisor
City of Edmonton
780-496-6754