Victoria will not be hosting the 2020 Memorial Cup.

The local bid committee announced Monday they were officially withdrawning their bid and instead refocusing on efforts to bring the marquee junior hockey championship event to Vancouver Island in 2023.

Committee chairperson John Wilson pointed to the potential for community fatigue on the south Island as Victoria plays host (along with Vancouver) to the World Junior Hockey Championships this winter, along with multiple venue upgrades required at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

B次元官网网址淭his is an opportunity to help bring an event of the highest magnitude to Victoria, for the people of Vancouver Island,B次元官网网址� Wilson said at the time it was first announced he would be joining the bid committee. B次元官网网址淭his community has a rich history in both sport and tourism, and we are the perfect landing spot for this tournament. It would truly be an amazing place for hockey fans to gather for 10 days in the heart of spring.B次元官网网址�

As the host team, the Western Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 Victoria Royals would automatically quality for the junior hockey championship, regardless of where they finished in the standings.

This leaves Kelowna, Kamloops and Lethbridge as the other cities still vying to host the annual tournament made up of the winners of the three member leagues (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) in the Canadian Hockey League.

B次元官网网址淥ur fans and the people of Victoria deserve to host an event that is remembered for a lifetime. In bowing out of the 2020 selection process, we feel that the foundation and momentum that has been created by participating in this bid process has been very valuable,B次元官网网址� said Victoria RoyalsB次元官网网址� President and General Manager Cameron Hope.

B次元官网网址淭he support received by the Bid Committee from all involved, including the local business community and government, has been exceptional. We know that when it is next time for a WHL city to bid on hosting this event, we will not only be a viable candidate, but the best candidate.B次元官网网址�

Sixty teams are eligible to compete for the Memorial Cup, representing nine provinces and four American states.

The host city will be announced in October.

Despite getting ready to host the this winter, organizing committee for the say they are cancelling their bid to host the event in 2020. Other cities with interest are , and

B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)

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