Wheat Kings announce intent to bid for 2026 CHL Memorial Cup

The Brandon Wheat Kings Hockey Club is proud to announce that we have officially submitted our intent to bid for the 2026 Memorial Cup, with plans to host this prestigious event in May 2026 at Westoba Place at the Keystone Centre.

The Memorial Cup, the coveted trophy awarded annually to the champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), was most recently held in Saginaw. The Wheat Kings aim to bring this historic event to our passionate hockey community and showcase our city’s rich hockey heritage.

Quote from Jared Jacobson, Owner and Governor of the Brandon Wheat Kings:

“We are thrilled to announce our intent to bid for the 2026 Memorial Cup. Hosting this event would be a tremendous honor for our organization, our city and our province. Brandon, and Manitoba, have a storied history in hockey, and we are excited about the opportunity to showcase our community and province to the entire hockey world.”

Last hosted in Brandon in 2010, Brandon and the Keystone Centre proved to be the perfect venue for such a popular event with multiple indoor and outdoor areas that were used.

Since then, the Keystone Centre has hosted numerous other world class events and has made several meaningful improvements to both the main arena and surrounding land.

On the ice, The Wheat Kings have a strong core with a deep prospect field and are poised to be a competitive team.

All this leads the organization to believe this is the perfect time for Brandon to once again welcome the CHL and the Memorial Cup to the city that sits on the hundredth meridian. Bring the country to its core where Brandon is ready to host and compete for the greatest trophy in Junior Hockey.

Quote from Connie Lawrence, CEO of the Keystone Centre:

“The Keystone Centre is elated to support the Brandon Wheat Kings’ bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup. We’re making substantial improvements to Westoba Place, which will include the new seating and air conditioning to make the fan experience even better. We know our facility’s ability to host world class events such as this and we know that, together with the organizing committee, we will provide an unforgettable experience for all participants and fans.”