Sports Writing 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.

While this program is run in English, it will accept projects that are being written in either English or Spanish and can offer mentorship in both languages. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

Scholarships available.