A bring-your-own event permit is required for events where attendees that are 19 years of age or older may bring their own liquor (BYOB) for consumption at the event, within the permitted area.
To be eligible for a bring-your-own event permit in Ontario, the event must meet the definition of a bring-your-own event as set out in the Permit Regulation .
A bring-your-own event must be a public event, held at an outdoor premises that is at ground level, and is either:
- held in connection with, and in proximity to, a professional, semi-professional or post-secondary sporting event; or
- an event that has been designated by a municipal council or its delegate as a cultural or community event.
For both types of events, attendees 19 years and older are allowed to bring their own liquor for consumption at the premises. Permit holders also have the option of allowing for the sale of alcohol under a Sale Bring-our-own Permit.
A bring-your-own event held in connection with a sporting event, could include the following types of sporting events:
- Professional sporting events may include sports where the participants are major league teams such as members of the Canadian Football League (CFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), American Hockey League (AHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Soccer (MLS).
- Semi-professional sporting events may include sports where the participants are minor league teams such as members of Ontario Hockey League (OHL), AAA baseball, United Soccer League Championship.
- Post-secondary sporting events may include sports where the participants are extramural, varsity or intercollegiate sports teams
Applicants applying for a bring-your-own event held in conjunction with a community or cultural event must provide the AGCO proof that the municipal council or their delegate in which the event will take place has designated the event as a cultural or community event.
Please note that amateur or recreational sporting events, including events organized and played through intramural sports leagues at post-secondary institutions or otherwise, and cultural or community events that have not been designated by a municipal council or its delegate are not eligible for a bring-your-own event permit.