The Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) have lost out on their bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup.
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Wednesday that the City of Kelowna, British Columbia, has been chosen to host the 106th edition of the national tournament. Five teams had been in running to host the tournament, the Rockets, Wheat Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Spokane Chiefs.
Each bid was evaluated based on four categories: business operations, local atmosphere/community engagement, event logistics, and hockey operations. The 2026 event will mark the second time that Kelowna has hosted the Memorial Cup after previously hosting it in 2004. Kelowna won the event that year led by Shea Weber and Josh Gorges, and the Rockets edged the Gatineau Olympiques.
This past spring, the City of Kelowna committed to making several upgrades to Prospera Place, home of the Rockets, including the installation of a brand-new scoreboard, improved lighting and sound systems, a dedicated press box, and more to help bolster the experience of fans and visitors travelling to the home arena of the Kelowna Rockets.
The 2025 Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
