The message is clear – Niagara wants to host the 2027 CHL Memorial Cup.
The cup, which pits the host team against the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, is often described as one of the most difficult championships in all of sport to win.
The tournament, which includes a round robin before knockout games, rotates between the three leagues, and will be held in Rimouski (QMJHL) in 2025, and was in Saginaw (OHL) earlier this year. That means 2026 will go to a WHL team, while the fate of 2027 has OHL teams and city officials alike chomping at the bit to host.
One of those city officials is St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe, who says the city wants to make a big push to host it in 2027.
Since the Meridian Centre was opened in 2014, it has been a facility praised by just about anyone who has been to it – from sports team, to performing artists, to fans from both Niagara and outside.
Siscoe says the CHL is familiar with the building, as he believes it’s one that’s well equipped for hosting a large national event such as the Memorial Cup.
The Meridian Centre is no stranger to larger events, regardless of the sport. In 2016, the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship tournament was held there, welcoming teams from eight different countries for 21 total games.
The arena also played host to some events from the Canada Summer Games, as well as basketball action during the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship – including a nationally televised final between Canada and the United States.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts was also held at the Meridian Centre in 2017, another nationally televised event.
Siscoe says this track record proves the arena can handle the pressure, and the city is ready for more world-class action.
The Meridian Centre officially opened just over 10 years ago, and has been something that was debated by council for years before that. In December 2011, it was approved by City Council – which Siscoe says had one thing in mind.
While the fate of the 2027 Memorial Cup won’t be known for a while, it’s something that Mayor Siscoe and Niagara IceDogs Owner & Governor Darren DeDobbelaer are certainly on the same page about.
DeDobbelaer says the region has so much to offer visitors of a Memorial Cup.
The decision on who hosts the tournament is typically announced towards the end of the calendar year, with the host of 2026 expected to be announced next. Cities and teams typically submit formal bid presentations that are then reviewed by the CHL’s selection committee.
The most recent selection committee included sports leaders from across the industry including Colin Campbell (NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations), France Margaret Bélanger (President, Groupe CH), Neil Glasberg (President & CEO, Pinnacle Business Inc.), Donald Beauchamp (Special Consultant, TACT) and Charles Perreault (General Manager, RDS).
The IceDogs moved to the region from Mississauga in 2007 and have yet to host a Memorial Cup. The tournament has been hosted in the region before, as the Niagara Falls Flyers were a split-host in 1968, while the St. Catharines Teepees split-hosted in 1962.
(Written by: Matt Latour with files from Ted Lehman)
