Memorial Cup Field Set as Kelowna Prepares for CHL Showcase
Photo by Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
CALGARY — The field for the 2026 Memorial Cup is officially set.
The host Kelowna Rockets will open the tournament against the OHL champion Kitchener Rangers on Friday, May 22, kicking off the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C.
Joining Kelowna and Kitchener in this year’s four-team tournament are the WHL champion Everett Silvertips and QMJHL champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens.
The tournament marks the return of the Memorial Cup to Kelowna for the first time since 2004, when the Rockets captured the franchise’s lone national title on home ice.
Kelowna enters the tournament led by Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla, who recorded 90 points in just 48 regular-season games, while San Jose Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch and Los Angeles Kings prospect Vojtech Cihar add further NHL-calibre firepower to the Rockets lineup.
Everett arrives in Kelowna after completing one of the most dominant seasons in modern WHL history, finishing with a 57-8-2-1 regular-season record before storming through the playoffs with a 16-2 run to secure the franchise’s first-ever Ed Chynoweth Cup. Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen earned WHL playoff MVP honours, while Calgary product and top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Landon DuPont continued establishing himself as one of hockey’s top young prospects.
Kitchener enters as one of the deepest teams in the country after sweeping the Barrie Colts to claim its first OHL championship since 2008. Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly led the Rangers with 28 playoff points and captured OHL playoff MVP honours.
Meanwhile, Chicoutimi returns to the Memorial Cup for the first time since 1997 after winning its first QMJHL title in 32 years. Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Massé headlines the Saguenéens roster after a 102-point regular season, while Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman backstopped the club through a dominant playoff run.
The championship final is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, with every game airing nationally across Canada on TSN and RDS.