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,含羞草研究社� 含羞草研究社淗e thinks we deserve another chance.含羞草研究社�
Dyas was the committee chairperson of the successful 2020 Memorial Cup bid which was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l share the playbook,含羞草研究社� he said, answering a question about who the 2026 committee chairperson might be. 含羞草研究社淲e're having some discussions right now.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e been somewhat hand cuffed含羞草研究社etting the facility up to the standard,含羞草研究社� Hamilton said. 含羞草研究社淣ow that the city is fully committed含羞草研究社t made a lot of sense to move forward.含羞草研究社�
The city含羞草研究社檚 financial commitment, coming from capital reserves, will include a new scoreboard, lighting, audio systems, a permanent media facility, zambonis and other items.
含羞草研究社淲e are developing a list of what needs to be done,含羞草研究社� Dyas added. 含羞草研究社淚 know we will get further feedback from the CHL for the facility to meet requirements of the bid.含羞草研究社�
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.
As of June 13, it was not known if the Rockets have competition for the 2026 tournament. Western Hockey League teams have until June 14 to submit their intent to bid to the CHL, and bids can be kept private.
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.
