Kelowna revealed as 2026 Memorial Cup host, causing heartbreak in Medicine Hat

CHL President Dan MacKenzie said in a statement the selection process was “incredibly competitive”.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to these four finalists for all the work they put into creating outstanding bids.”

Tigers’ fan Dale Engel, who has been a vocal advocate for the team’s bid, said he was disappointed.

“Heartbroken,” he told CHAT News after the successful host was announced.

“We had our hopes up, the stars were aligned…we did everything we could to make it successful and then to have the rug pulled from underneath us, it’s disheartening to hear,” he added.

“It’s a sad day for Medicine Hat.”

Head Coach Willie Desjardins said he wasn’t sure why the Tigers weren’t chosen as host.

“If the bid committee really would’ve got to know Medicine Hat, we would have got it,” Desjardins told CHAT News.

“There’s so much stuff here that we could be so proud of. And why we didn’t get it, I’m not sure.”

Either way, the Tigers will be fighting for the cup in 2026, he said.

“The one thing I know is they get to pick the team to host it, but they don’t get to pick the team that wins,” Desjardins added.

The coach said he was proud of the city’s collaborative effort to submit the bid.

Medicine Hat’s host committee chair Brent Sauer said they put a strong effort forward and are confident about the bid they had.

“We know we put our best foot forward to make this happen,” Sauer said.

“The support we received from the community from so many different levels, and we felt very, very good about it,” he added.

“I think that’s why it’s disappointing.”

Sauer said it’s hard to believe anybody could compete with their bid.

“Over the last four months, there’s been many meetings and hours and hours of work put into the document and the video submission preparation to host a first-class event.
We gave a solid business case, we showcased a top-notch facility, and of course the team is ready,” Sauer said.

“Quite honestly, it feels like a little bit right now like a period of mourning, but this will take some time.” he added.

“Willie, we know we have the team, so let’s get to Kelowna in 2026.”

Tigers president Darrel Maser said in a statement that he was grateful for the effort and support behind the bid.

“Obviously disappointed with the result, we knew the process would be very competitive because the other teams bidding on this event have excellent programs as well,” Maser said.

“The Tigers organization are proud of the bid submitted by the host committee and deeply grateful for the strong support received from the community throughout the process.”

Medicine Hat’s Mayor Linnsie Clark also shared her thoughts.

“We are grateful to the CHL for the opportunity to present our bid and extend our heartfelt congratulations to the community of Kelowna on their success,” Clark said.

“Thank you to everyone involved in creating our Memorial Cup bid. Without your hard work and dedication, we wouldn’t even have been in the running,” she added.

“We’ll get ‘em next time! Go Tigers!”

Desjardins has taken the Tigers to two Memorial Cups, winning two WHL championships during his time as head coach with the team.

The first time in 2004 was the last time the event was held in Kelowna, an event the Rockets had won.

Desjardins said it would be full circle to be able to get another chance at a Memorial Cup in Kelowna.

“I would have loved way more for it to be here. This is such a great place. If that’s the way it has to be, that’s the way it has to be,” Desjardins said.

“One thing we’ll always do is we always play to win. We’re proud of our organization. We built this team. We traded for lots of 18-year-olds, so we’ll be ready for that year,” he added.

“We have lots of pieces that’ll be ready to go after it.”

Desjardins said with the great fans in the city, they want to give them something to cheer about this year as well.

“We have a pretty good group this year. We haven’t played the way we can for different reasons,” Desjardins.

“I want us to get a long playoff run this year and just see the fans the way they’ve been and how they support us,” he added.

“I just want to be part of it.

The QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic will host the 2025 event starting May 22.

Kamloops won the last WHL bid to host the Memorial Cup in 2023.

Kelowna was initially one of the cities bidding on the tournament that year but pulled out after an audit found “significant deficiencies” at Prospera Place, where the Rockets play.

An outdated arena wasn’t a factor for Kelowna this time around after promising $3.7 million in venue upgrades.

by Eli J. Ridder, Jesse Gill

Kelowna revealed as 2026 Memorial Cup host, causing heartbreak in Medicine Hat

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