After months of waiting, Moncton has learned it will not be hosting the 2028 Memorial Cup. That announcement was made Thursday afternoon by the Canadian Hockey League. The QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts will instead host the tournament in Quebec City in May 2028. “We want to recognize the incredible hard work and dedication of our team, the Moncton Wildcats, and our many community partners throughout this bid process,” said Moncton Mayor Shawn Crossman in a statement to CTV News Atlantic. “We know that everyone involved gave their very best effort and represented our community with pride. The support from residents, businesses, and organizations across Moncton was truly inspiring.” The Memorial Cup brings together the winners of the QMJHL, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The host city also gets a spot in the tournament. The Hub City last hosted the Memorial Cup in 2006 at the Moncton Coliseum. The Wildcats lost the final of that series to the Quebec Remparts. In July of this year, the CHL announced that the 2028 Memorial Cup would be held in either Quebec City or Moncton. Both cities then submitted formal bids to host the tournament. “On behalf of the Moncton Wildcats, I congratulate Quebec City and the Quebec Remparts on being selected by the CHL to host the 2028 Memorial Cup,” said Moncton Wildcats president R.J. Irving. “While we are very disappointed by the decision, we believed strongly in our bid, in this community and in our ability to deliver an exceptional Memorial Cup tournament. We wanted the opportunity to bring the national championship back to Moncton and Atlantic Canada, and we believed Moncton has earned that opportunity.” When being asked to appear on camera for this story, Irving declined, saying it was “just too soon.” According to the Wildcats, this is the third time Moncton has been denied hosting in recent years: 2019, 2025 and now 2028. QMJHL scout and analyst Craig Eagles said he was shocked by the decision. “There’s no other word. The City of Moncton rallies around big events like no other. I’m shocked that the Wildcats lost the bid. From all accounts, the bid process and the bid committee that put it on here for Moncton did an amazing job. This is a real shock to the City of Moncton and to the community as well,” said Eagles. Eagles was surprised the Memorial Cup tournament is going back to Quebec after Rimouski played host in 2025. “To go back to Quebec, you’re probably not going to get an explanation on why and where the bid fell short. Perhaps the city and Atlantic Canada deserves an explanation because I just think the Irving family and the City of Moncton have done so much for the QMJHL. It’s a real shock,” said Eagles. Longtime Wildcats fan Craig Thompson said he was also surprised by the decision. “Shocked, really. Such a hockey loving town. We’re so close behind our Wildcats,” said Thompson. “I was really hoping for it for the community. I thought it was going to be a really great thing and it just really surprised me.” Aside from Moncton hosting in 2006, the Memorial Cup has been held in the Maritimes three other times; Halifax hosted twice and Saint John hosted and won the tournament in 2022. The 2027 Memorial Cup will be held in Guelph, Ont. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
