*Canadian Olympian and CBC Sports CBC Sports Host Anastasia Bucsis to host
*Tickets now on sale for fifth anniversary edition
Tennis Canada today unveiled the programming for the 2026 UNMATCHED: Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by National Bank in Toronto. A five-part program featuring panels and facilitated discussions, bringing people into the conversation and holding focus on accountability and action to advance equity in sport.
Over 400 leaders across sport, business, government and community will come together for the fifth edition of the conference, for which the theme is Architects of the Next Era of Sport Equity. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 11 at Sobeys Stadium during the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, which will see the world’s best players on the WTA Tour compete in Toronto.
Tickets went on general sale today and can be purchased by clicking here. Attendees are invited to choose their experience with several packages available, including the option to attend the quarter-final evening session at the NBO following the conclusion of UNMATCHED.
CBC Sports Host Anastasia Bucsis will host the conference. The former long-track speed skater represented the Maple Leaf at two Olympic Games (Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014) and is a leading advocate for gender equity in sport in Canada.
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the conference, the 2026 UNMATCHED program will be structured across five sections:
1. Context: The State of Equity in Sport
Format: Interactive panel and live audience engagement
The programming will begin with a panel discussion about where equity stands today, what has changed since 2018 and where progress still needs to be made to reach the Government of Canada’s gender equity target in sport at every level by the year 2035.
2. Friction: What We’re Still Not Seeing
Format: Athlete story and expert panel
Hear from a panel of experts about one of the most overlooked gaps in sport systems: women’s health. Experts will discuss their experience on the topic and provide assessment on where research falls short, how training is structured under the current system and the lasting impact on athletes’ performance, safety and longevity.
3. Solutions: What’s Working Now
Format: Case-based conversations with facilitated table discussions
Engage in facilitated table discussions based on case studies that examine real-world models. The case studies range from community-led access models, athlete leadership and influence, coaching and leadership pathways and designing more inclusive sport environments.
4. Equity Lab Spotlights (Throughout the Day)
Format: Rapid presentations
The Equity Lab is a new initiative designed to spotlight the next generation of leaders advancing equity in sport. These spotlights will be short and impactful presentations held throughout the day that will introduce attendees to the leaders who are already advancing equity in sport. The presentations
encourage real-time conversation and collaboration about how we as a community can drive progress
towards equity.
5. Conversation: What Happens Next
Format: Leadership dialogue
The conference will conclude with a final discussion looking towards the next phase of the equity goal for 2035. The conversation will explore questions such as what needs to shift in leadership, investment, and accountability, how to move from momentum to measurable, lasting change and what it will take to build more equitable and sustainable sport systems. Panelists and speakers for the 2026 UNMATCHED Conference will be confirmed over the coming weeks.
Past speakers have included iconic sports figures such as Billie Jean King, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and Dawn Staley.
QUOTES
“This conference is one of the marquee women's sporting events in the world, and I am so humbled to host this year's event. I can't wait to hear the fantastic conversations that will move the needle closer to gender equity in sport.”
- Anastasia Bucsis, CBC Sports Host
“We’re proud to share the programming for this year’s UNMATCHED. In our fifth year, and at such an important moment for women’s sport, it’s a chance to recognize how far we’ve come while being clear about the work still ahead. We’re thrilled to welcome Anastasia Bucsis as our host — a respected voice
who will help guide honest, meaningful conversations throughout the conference. We look forward to the connections that will be built and the action that will follow as we continue working toward equity in sport.”
- Terri Temelini, Director of Women and Girls’ Advancement at Tennis Canada.
