Sporting events often rely on volunteers to help with various aspects of event management. This includes anything from logistics and crowd control to hospitality and media relations. Volunteering at a sporting event gives fans unique access to behind-the-scenes action while contributing to the smooth running and success of the event. Volunteers can gain valuable experience, make new connections, and support their communities or favorite sports. Some events offer other perks for volunteers including event-related swag, meals and refreshments during volunteer shifts and free or discounted tickets for non-volunteering days. And who knows, you may get the opportunity to meet your favorite athletes!  

Here are some types of sporting events that typically need volunteers:

Professional Sports Leagues and Tournaments

Tennis Tournaments: Major events like the US Open, Miami Open and Cincinnati Open need volunteers for roles like court services, player services, and guest hospitality.

Golf Tournaments: Events like the PGA Tour and The Masters often need volunteers for crowd management, scorekeeping, and hospitality services.

Marathons and Road Races: Major marathons such as the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, and the Chicago Marathon require volunteers for registration, water stations, course support, gear check, and more.

Soccer Tournaments: Soccer tournaments rely on armies of volunteers who help with everything from fan services/support, to accreditation and credentialing, media and broadcast support, team and match operations, transportation and arrivals, sustainability and “green team”, accessibility support, and hospitality and VIP services. 

Pro tip: A perk of volunteering at a major sporting event is the opportunity to be on site and catch the action outside of your volunteer shift hours. Some opportunities also provide volunteers with stadium tickets for family/friends for select sessions.

National and Regional Championships

National Sports Championships: Events like the NCAA championships in the U.S., national athletics championships, or national swimming competitions require volunteers for operations, athlete coordination, and spectator services.

Charity and Fundraising Events

Charity Runs and Walks: Events like Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, and various charity 5Ks rely on volunteers for participant registration, water stations, and route guidance.

Fundraising Sports Events: Charity sports tournaments or special fundraising events, such as celebrity golf tournaments or charity tennis matches, need volunteers for coordination and support roles.

Youth and Amateur Sports Tournaments

Youth Sports Leagues: Local and regional youth sports tournaments, including soccer, baseball, basketball, and hockey, often rely on volunteers for coaching, refereeing, and event management.

Amateur Championships: Events like amateur golf tournaments or regional athletics meets need volunteers for various operational roles.

Local and Community Sports Events

Community Sports Days: Local sports festivals or community sports days need volunteers for organizing activities, managing participants, and ensuring smooth operations.

School Sports Events: School sports days and inter-school competitions often rely on parent and community volunteers for event management and support.

Our Teams in Action

Every March, the Miami Open comes to Miami, and with it, the world’s top male and female players. Marco Malfavon, director, associate communication and engagement for FirstService Residential’s South Region, has enjoyed his volunteer role with the Miami Open tennis tournament for the past 13 years.

“The Miami Open is a very important, level 1000, tennis tournament that takes place in Miami around the end of March each year and lasts about two weeks,” said Marco. “As a tennis fan, volunteering at this event has brought me great joy and wonderful memories! I have made friends from around the world, watched tennis up close and got to see all the famous and upcoming players train and play, in addition to some epic matches. As a volunteer, you get nice, branded items, including 2 shirts, one jacket, a hat, a water bottle and a bag, plus tickets to the stadium. But the most important thing for me has been the opportunity to see players and tennis matches really close.”

Miami Open 2026 will be held March 15-29.

FIFA is running one of the largest volunteer programs in its history with ~65,000 volunteers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the upcoming World Cup.

Toronto will be one of the Host Cities for FIFA World Cup 26.  Approximately 3,000 volunteers will be recruited by FIFA26Canada and the City of Toronto to support Toronto’s role as a Host City. FIFA World Cup 26™  Toronto will host six FIFA World Cup 26™ matches, kicking off on Friday, June 12, 2026, with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil, featuring Canada’s Men’s National Team. Toronto is also hosting a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2, 2026.   Volunteers will support fan experiences, accessibility services, media operations, event logistics and more. This includes FIFA Fan Festival™ support and serving as Host City Ambassadors outside stadiums, airports, transit hubs and visitor sites. Volunteers will gain valuable training, skills and connections, as well as recognition for their contributions to this premier event. Volunteer opportunities are available in the United States as well.

FirstService Corporation’s Gillian Young has been an avid football (soccer) fan her entire life. She began volunteering when her daughter expressed interest in Girl Guides and Soccer. Gillian became a leader and a coach and particularly enjoyed mentoring and coaching players to develop leadership and team skills. When the opportunity to support FIFA World Cup 26 came about, Gillian didn’t hesitate to sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Gillian shared, “I’m passionate about football and so excited to contribute to a global event that brings people together and where everyone feels welcome. This is a fantastic opportunity for football fans in Canada.”

Ready to Get in the Game?

1. Research the Event
   Identify specific sporting events that interest you and their supporting charities (if applicable). Look for official websites or social media pages to gather information about volunteer opportunities. Many of their 2026 websites already have “volunteer interest” or “sign up” forms open so you can join interest lists.

2. Check Volunteer Requirements
   Review the volunteer requirements posted by the event organizers. These might include age restrictions, background checks, specific skills, or previous experience. Ensure you meet the qualifications and are available for the event dates.

3. Register or Apply
   Visit the event’s official website to find and complete the volunteer registration or application form. This is often found under sections like “Get Involved,” “Volunteer,” or “Support Us.” Once your application is accepted, you will typically be required to attend an orientation and/or volunteer training session.  This helps familiarize you with the event layout, your role, and emergency procedures. From there, you will receive your shift details and are good to go!