Kelowna announces intent to bid on 2026 Mem Cup

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 14, 2024.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The Kelowna Rockets made the first public move in regards to the 2026 Memorial Cup.

In a press conference Thursday, the Rockets announced an intent to bid to be the host of the major junior hockey tournament to be hosted by a Western Hockey League club in 2026.

Kelowna was previously selected to be the host of the 2020 Memorial Cup that was cancelled due to COVID-19. They were denied the opportunity again in 2023 due to the arena, Prospera Place, not meeting the standards of the Canadian Hockey League:

The city of Kelowna pledged $3.7 million towards upgrades at the facility during the announcement Thursday.

Any other WHL teams interested in making a bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup are required to submit an intent to bid by 3 pm MST today.

The CHL will be releasing information next week regarding all teams who have submitted an intent to bid.

The next step after that is for all teams who have showed intent, to submit official bids, with the winning bid to be tentatively announced in late November.

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