The Kitchener Rangers brought home the Memorial Cup last season, but they are now celebrating another big win. According to the team’s financial statement ending on May 31, the Rangers’ revenue was just over $8.5 million for the 2025/2026 season. That is a jump from nearly $7.8 million the season before. “We had a record number in revenue and in ticketing. We hit a record number revenue in our store and merchandise. A high and a year-over-year growth in sponsorship,” Joe Birch, Kitchener Rangers’ governor and chief operating office, said. “Those are the key drivers for us. And playoff success is a contributor as well too. So, as much as the business side has really been incredibly successful, the success on the ice, led by Mike McKenzie and our coaches and our players, also supports that. The longer you play in playoffs, the better opportunity you have to drive some revenues and increase the commercial side.” Ticket revenue during the regular season reached $4,599,701, sponsorships and other income came in at $2,913,614, while retail sales brought in $751,671. Birch said the ticket sales are what keeps the team thriving. “It’s the number one driver, likely in all junior franchises and maybe even in all hockey, and the NHL. We don’t have, certainly at the OHL, lucrative television deals, or media rights. So, butts in the seats is really important to us, which is why we’re really appreciative and thankful for our incredible fan base, because without them, we wouldn’t be in this financial position,” Birch said. $1.5 million surplus The team’s overall operating surplus was over $1.5 million. “We were over excess of operations. We had a fantastic business year, and it was approximately $1.55 million. It speaks to the tremendous support that we get within the community from our fan base, but also the amazing business staff,” Birch said. As a community owned team, the board of directors along with Birch and other leaders, can decide how to reinvest the $1.5 million. “We’re upgrading our parent and player lounge. That’ll be completed this week and ready for the home opener. We’ve invested in a new lighting system and on ice mapping projection system. And the way that we travel, whether we go in a day early and our quality of meals and the apparel for our players, all these things. And so, it’s sort of twofold. One, reinvest back in the club and the player experience. And then secondly, save for a rainy day,” Birch said. The cost of success The club’s end operating surplus is slightly less than the previous season, bringing in $1,551,032 in 2026 compared to $1,664,374 in 2025. However, they donated more money to the community, and their success did come with some other costs. The club spent nearly $60,000 on their bid to host the Memorial Cup and paid another $334,503 for the Memorial Cup run. “That included everything from all of our players, all of our staff - the hotels, the flights, the meals, everything that possibly went into ensuring that everyone was out there,” Birch said. “The outcome far, far outweighs what the expense was to the club. I viewed it as a long-term investment. I mean, it’s created a further winning culture and has given something that has ignited our hockey players to participate or try to participate in again.” Birch said the merchandise sales related to winning it all and the ongoing momentum it caused will likely balance the costs of the Memorial Cup tournament. The club is still repaying $564,816 to RBC for a loan taken out during the COVID-19 pandemic, and around $4 million for a loan from the City of Kitchener, but officials said it’s a purely positive outlook for the junior hockey team as they head into another regular season this month.
