The Kelowna Rockets are bidding for the 2026 Memorial Cup.
The team and the City of Kelowna made a joint announcement at a media event on June 13.
Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton said the time is right for another shot.
"One, we wanna win, and I want it back in this city. The mayor (Tom Dyas) wants it too,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淗e thinks we deserve another chance.B次元官网网址�
Dyas was the committee chairperson of the successful 2020 Memorial Cup bid which was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l share the playbook,B次元官网网址� he said, answering a question about who the 2026 committee chairperson might be. B次元官网网址淲e're having some discussions right now.B次元官网网址�
The city has also committed $3.7 million for needed upgrades to Prospera Place to host the 10 day tournament. A bid for the 2023 Memorial Cup fell flat after the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) said the arena was not up to modern standards.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been somewhat hand cuffedB次元官网网址etting the facility up to the standard,B次元官网网址� Hamilton said. B次元官网网址淣ow that the city is fully committedB次元官网网址t made a lot of sense to move forward.B次元官网网址�
The cityB次元官网网址檚 financial commitment, coming from capital reserves, will include a new scoreboard, lighting, audio systems, a permanent media facility, zambonis and other items.
B次元官网网址淲e are developing a list of what needs to be done,B次元官网网址� Dyas added. B次元官网网址淚 know we will get further feedback from the CHL for the facility to meet requirements of the bid.B次元官网网址�
Dyas and Hamilton expressed appreciation for GSL Group, which operates Prospera Place, for supporting the bid. The agreement between GSL and the city expires in 2029.
The Kelowna Rockets first hosted the Memorial Cup in 2004, winning the tournament with captain Josh Gorges, 18-year-old Shea Webber and MVP goaltender Kelly Guard.
The 2026 Memorial Cup winning city will be announced on December 14, 2024.
