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The quick read: A new economic study says the 2026 Memorial Cup — hosted by the Kelowna Rockets in May — generated a record $50.9 million in new spending for Greater Kelowna, the largest impact ever recorded for a host community. Sellout crowds, week-long visitor stays, and millions flowing into hotels, restaurants, wineries and golf courses.

The Memorial Cup came to Kelowna, and Kelowna got paid.

The Canadian Hockey League announced last Thursday that its 2026 tournament — May 21 to 31, hosted by the WHL's Kelowna Rockets — generated an estimated $50.9 million in new spending across Greater Kelowna.

That is the largest recorded economic impact for any Memorial Cup host community, ever.

The headline number

The study was conducted by T1 Agency and commissioned by the CHL, drawing on more than 500 survey responses from people who attended.

The tournament sold 47,780 tickets across 11 days, with sellout crowds packing Prospera Place. It ended with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers capturing their third Memorial Cup championship.

"The Memorial Cup showcases the best of the best from across the CHL, and Kelowna demonstrated the immense value this event can bring to a community," said CHL president Dan MacKenzie. "From sellout crowds and visitor spending to support for local charities, students and community facilities, the impact reached well beyond the rink."

Where the money went

According to the findings, many visiting fans stayed for a week or longer — combining the hockey with wine tours, golf, boating and hiking, spreading the spending across the whole region.

The study's headline figure is spending "attributable to the tournament" — money that arrived in the local economy because the Memorial Cup was here.

The CHL also notes the legacy went beyond the cash register: charitable support, scholarships and arena upgrades are part of the tournament's lasting footprint.

Beating the projection

Here is the part the boosters should be proudest of: before the tournament, the hosts projected an economic impact of $22.5 million.

The actual result more than doubled it. Mayor Tom Dyas had guessed back in 2024 it could top $30 million — and the final number blew past that too.

For perspective, the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops produced $16.3 million for that city and $19.6 million for the province. Kelowna just tripled the city number.

This is what good economic development looks like: visitors choosing to spend their own money in your town, because you gave them a reason to come.

No subsidies required. No red tape. Just a well-run event and a community that showed up.

Next up at Prospera

The arena isn't done hosting the big ones. Skate Canada International arrives at Prospera Place October 30 through November 1, bringing the ISU Grand Prix and another wave of visitors.

If the Memorial Cup is the measuring stick, the bar is now $50.9 million high.

Photo credit: Photo by Tony Schnagl on Pexels