In just over four months' time, Kelowna will welcome back the Memorial Cup for the first time in more than 20 years.

The 106th Memorial Cup, taking place from May 21–31, 2026, will serve as a landmark celebration of junior hockey, commemorating both the Kelowna Rockets’ 30th anniversary season and the Canadian Hockey League's (CHL) 50th anniversary as the umbrella organization of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

For the Rockets, the 2026 tournament represents a meaningful homecoming. The club last hosted the Memorial Cup in 2004, a tournament that culminated in one of the greatest moments in franchise history, as Kelowna captured the national championship on home ice before a sold-out crowd at Prospera Place. More than two decades later, that same passion is set to return as the city once again becomes a showcase for world-class hockey, community pride, and the shared spirit that defines the Memorial Cup.

Over the past few months, the trophy has been making special appearances throughout the Okanagan, visiting local sponsors, community partners, and familiar Kelowna landmarks, including the Kelowna Visitor Centre. Each stop has highlighted the incredible community support behind the event and the collective effort that’s helping bring this national celebration of hockey to life.
 

Memorial Cup at KVC
Members of Tourism Kelowna's Community & Visitor Engagement team welcome the Memorial Cup to the Kelowna Visitor Centre (December 2025)

Events of this calibre offer a welcome economic boost to the local community, boosting visitation during months when availability is higher. The 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota is forecast to generate close to 4,000 room nights (not counting fans or families). The economic impact of the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops totalled $16.3M in the city and $19.6M in the province. In addition to attending Memorial Cup events, visitors will be encouraged to explore our region, visit our restaurants, eateries, and coffee shops, share tastings at breweries and wineries, and discover local attractions.

Tourism Kelowna supported the Kelowna Rockets bid through its Major Event Strategy, with its team assisting with bid development, securing funding, and nurturing critical relationships with key stakeholders. For more information about Tourism Kelowna's Major Event Strategy, contact Sara Correa Haslehurst, Business Development, Sports & Events, at sara@tourismkelowna.com. 


Resources for Local Businesses

As with recent major events in our region, Tourism Kelowna's team will develop an array of assets and resources for local businesses to use to maximize their participation, engage with attendees, and drive traffic to their businesses. Stay tuned to the Industry News Centre and LinkedIn page for more details as they become available. 


About the Memorial Cup

The Memorial Cup brings together the playoff champions from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL, along with a host club, in a four-team round-robin tournament to determine the CHL champion. First awarded 106 years ago, the Memorial Cup has grown into one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport, with a legacy that has helped define junior hockey in North America. Originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup, the trophy was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March 1919 to honour the Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War. In 2010, it was rededicated to commemorate all fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces, further deepening its legacy as a symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and national pride.


2026 Memorial Cup Schedule 
  • Arrival of the Cup – Thursday, May 21
  • Round-Robin – Game 1 – Friday, May 22 – OHL vs. Kelowna Rockets
  • Round-Robin – Game 2 – Saturday, May 23 – WHL vs. QMJHL
  • Round-Robin – Game 3 – Sunday, May 24 – Kelowna Rockets vs. QMJHL
  • Round-Robin – Game 4 – Monday, May 25 – WHL vs. OHL
  • Round-Robin – Game 5 – Tuesday, May 26 – QMJHL vs. OHL
  • Round-Robin – Game 6 – Wednesday, May 27 – Kelowna Rockets vs. WHL
  • Tie-Breaker (*if necessary) – Thursday, May 28
  • Semi-Final – Friday, May 29
  • Championship Final – Sunday, May 31
Ticket Packages

Ticket packages are available through Select Your Tickets and include access to all tournament games. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early as anticipation builds for what promises to be an unforgettable event in the Okanagan. For more information on the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, click here. 


Some of the information above is sourced from the CHL's press release.