Rogers' Major Donation
Rogers Commits $1 Million Donation to Support the 2026 Rogers Charity Classic Tournament
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Rogers Communications announced a $1 million donation to the 2026 Rogers Charity Classic on June 15, calling it a "foundational gift" for Alberta's children's charities. Montreal Gazette reported the pledge is separate from Rogers' standard sponsorship fees — meaning every dollar raised through ticket sales and the tournament's
Rogers Communications announced a $1 million donation to the 2026 Rogers Charity Classic on June 15. The company calls it a "foundational gift" to push the tournament past last year's record-setting haul of $26 million raised for children's charities across Alberta, according to Calgary Sun. The event takes place in August at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club in Calgary.
A $1 Million Gift to Shield Alberta's Youth Charities
Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri said the donation goes beyond golf. "This $1 million commitment is about our ongoing promise to the people of Alberta," Staffieri said, according to Montreal Gazette. The money is designed to cover overhead costs so that ticket sales and matching donations flow directly to charities — not administration.
Tournament Chairman Jim Riddell said the injection gives smaller charities certainty. "This specific million-dollar injection allows us to guarantee that every cent raised through ticket sales goes directly to the charities without overhead concerns," he said. More than 250 youth-based charities across Alberta benefit from the tournament's "Birdies for Kids" matching program, according to Daily Herald Tribune.
Tournament Has Raised $112 Million for Kids Since 2013
The Rogers Charity Classic began as the Shaw Charity Classic in 2013. It is Canada's only stop on the PGA TOUR Champions, a tour for professional golfers aged 50 and over. Since its first year, the tournament has raised more than $112 million for Alberta charities — making it one of the most successful charitable sporting events in Canadian history, according to National Post.
Rogers took over from Shaw after completing a $26 billion merger in April 2023. The tournament was rebranded as the Rogers Charity Classic in August 2024. The 2025 event set a single-year fundraising record of $26 million, raising the bar heading into the 2026 edition, according to Calgary Sun.
Blue Jays Ballpark Comes to Calgary at Hole 16
Rogers is also bringing a Toronto Blue Jays theme to the 2026 event. The 16th hole at Canyon Meadows will be transformed into a Blue Jays-style ballpark experience. The activation marks the Blue Jays' 50th season and will raise additional funds for the Jays Care Foundation, according to Sault This Week.
More than 80 professional golfers — including several Hall of Famers — are expected to compete in August. The tournament is projected to draw over 50,000 spectators to Calgary, generating an estimated $15 to $20 million in local economic activity from hotels, dining, and transportation, according to Cochrane Times Post.
Strategic Move to Win Western Canada's Trust Post-Merger
Some analysts see the $1 million gift as a smart business move. Rogers earns billions in annual profit, and critics say the donation costs far less than a national TV ad campaign but earns far more goodwill. Consumer advocates note it is a small fraction of Rogers' reported $2.3 billion in annual net income.
Calgary-based media tell a different story. For outlets like Calgary Sun and Weekly Voice, the donation proves the Rogers-Shaw merger did not strip Calgary of a beloved local institution. The gift sets a high bar for other tournament sponsors — including AltaLink and Scotiabank — and could trigger larger donations across the board, benefiting all 250-plus charities in the Birdies for Kids program.
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