For the first time ever, an airsoft event is set to take place in Carman. Mid-Canada Airsoft Events is bringing its expertise to the area and hosting the inaugural Airsoft Reload Manitoba at the Carman Dufferin Arena on May 17 and 18. This event is unique, as it will be the first of its kind in both Carman and Canada, featuring two different styles of play.
The event will utilize both arenas at the venue, with one arena dedicated to tactical airsoft games and the other to speedsoft games. Eric Halvorsen, who runs Mid-Canada Airsoft Events with his partner, noted that no event in Canada has previously offered both game-playing options simultaneously.
Mid-Canada Airsoft Events has been organizing outdoor and indoor matches since 2016. Halvorsen became involved in the sport after moving to New Bothwell, where he discovered a nearby airsoft field. Now, he aims to share his passion for the game with others and hopes to increase interest in airsoft within the community. Hosting this event in Carman marks their first engagement in the area. According to Airsoft in Canada (ASIC), over 60,000 people in Canada participate in airsoft, making the market worth more than $100 million annually. The non-lethal shooting sport involves using replica firearms loaded with plastic BBs to compete in real-world environments. Halvorsen expressed his desire to offer both styles of airsoft at this event to bridge the gap between them. Tactical airsoft emphasizes mission-driven combat that relies on teamwork and skill, while speedsoft is fast-paced, aggressive, and demands precision. The tactical arena will feature a variety of games, including capture the flag, digital bomb games, and more.
“We know they’re two separate entities when it comes to airsoft,” said Halvorsen. “Speedsoft’s been growing in popularity. It gives the chance to include everyone and opens people up to the form they maybe don’t know as much about.”
To register for the tournament, participants simply need to purchase a ticket, which grants them access to both days of the event. Tickets are available on the Mid-Canada Airsoft Events website, priced at $60 for a weekend pass or $40 for a day pass. Doors will open at 9 a.m. on both days, closing at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Halvorsen encourages anyone aged 14 and older who is interested in airsoft to sign up for the tournament.
“The airsoft community is a very social community,” he said. “It’s a great place to meet new friends, it’s a great activity to get exercise. It also teaches kids about gun safety and protection, and we feel those are big things to have that the airsoft community can provide to people.”
The event will also feature raffles and prizes, including an early bird draw for the first 100 ticket buyers, a silent auction for airsoft gear, and a grand prize valued at over $1,300. Typically, their events attract around 200 participants, and Halvorsen anticipates a similar turnout for the Carman tournament. He encourages everyone to buy tickets early. Participants come from across the province, with some traveling from as far away as Saskatchewan. For those visiting from out of town, the group has reserved a block of rooms at the Blue Crescent Hotel Carman at a discounted rate for the weekend.
“We’re planning a great weekend for people,” said Halvorsen. “We’re planning on this only being the start. We’re planning on making it an annual event.”
