Calgary will host the first North American Outgames during the first week of April.
About 2,500 people are expected to visit the city for the week-long sports tournament for gay, lesbian and bisexual participants, organizers announced Thursday.
The Outgames will also include a cultural festival and human rights conference.
Phil Ivers, president of the Calgary Outgames Legacy board, says athletes will participate in badminton, bowling, curling, hockey and other sports.
"For Calgary and area, I think it's going to be huge," he said.
"We will probably be seeing 2,500 people coming in. They are going to be getting hotel rooms, they are going to be eating in restaurants, they are going to be doing sightseeing, going to Banff and probably doing some skiing."
The announcement comes less than a week before Montreal hosts the first World Outgames.
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