2026 Memorial Cup Host City Announced
From the November 27 announcement by the Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is pleased to announce that the city of Kelowna, British Columbia, has been chosen to host the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026. The Kelowna Rockets were one of five Western Hockey League (WHL) franchises to submit a formal written bid back in September, which represented the largest number of CHL clubs vying to host a Memorial Cup since 2009.
“We are excited to be heading to Kelowna for the 2026 Memorial Cup,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “With the largest number of CHL teams seeking to host a Memorial Cup in more than 15 years, the selection process for the 2026 tournament was incredibly competitive given the strong bids put forth by all five bidding clubs, including the Brandon Wheat Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Spokane Chiefs. I’d like to express my gratitude to these four finalists for all the work they put into creating outstanding bids. We look forward to working alongside the Kelowna Rockets and the City of Kelowna to make the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both fans and players alike.”
"While we’re disappointed not to be selected as the host for the 2026 Memorial Cup, I couldn’t be prouder of the remarkable collaboration behind our bid. The process brought together leaders from hockey, our community, and the City of Lethbridge, highlighting the strength of the Hurricanes Hockey Club and the incredible spirit of Hurricane country. This experience has only reinforced our commitment to showcasing Lethbridge as a premier destination for sport."
- Susan Eymann, Executive Director, Lethbridge Sport Council
“Firstly, congratulations to Kelowna on their successful bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup. We’re, of course, disappointed not to have been chosen to host the Cup. Our bid committee worked hard to put together a strong submission that showcased why Lethbridge is a fantastic choice for this prestigious event.
It wasn’t our year, but Lethbridge is a resilient community that is deeply passionate about our Hurricanes and hockey. We look forward to exploring future opportunities to bring the Memorial Cup to our city.”
- Blaine Hyggen, Mayor, City of Lethbridge
To learn more about Sport Tourism in Lethbridge, to see our local sport event calendar, and to learn more about legacy of sport tourism, please visit the Sport Tourism page on the Lethbridge Sport Council website.
Posted November 28, 2024