Regina will host the 2026 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, bringing elite young Indigenous hockey players to the Co-operators Centre from May 2 to 9, 2026.

The NAHC, organized by the non-profit Aboriginal Sport Circle and sanctioned by Hockey Canada, features 16 teams — eight male and eight female — made up of bantam and midget-aged Indigenous athletes. The annual event has served as a key platform for Indigenous sport development since 2002, said a Friday news release from the Regina Exhibition Association Limited.

The 2026 tournament will mark the first time Saskatchewan has hosted the championships since 2012, REAL's news release said.

The tournament is "a tremendous opportunity for our province to showcase our commitment to Indigenous sport," Fabian Head, third vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, said in the release.

The championships create "a space where Indigenous youth can connect with their culture, build lasting relationships, and develop skills that extend far beyond the rink," he said.

The 2026 event will be hosted in partnership with Ochapowace Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan. 

Chief Shelley Bear says that reflects the community's focus on youth development through sports and recreation, which she called "vital tools for building confidence, leadership and resilience in our young people."

"When we provide these opportunities, we're not just developing better athletes — we're developing stronger communities and future leaders who carry their cultural pride with them in everything they do," Bear was quoted as saying in the news release.

The NAHC typically delivers more than $1 million in economic impact per category to host communities, according to organizers.

Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski welcomed the announcement, calling the tournament a meaningful event for the city and province.

The event "strengthens the bonds between communities through the spirit of sport," Bachynski said in the press release.

The championship is part of the province's efforts to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action around sports and reconciliation, REAL's news release said.

Sandra Jackle, president and CEO of the Regina Hotel Association, which is supporting the championships, said the event is an "outstanding celebration of sport and culture" that "strengthens cultural connections and community pride across Canada."

More information on schedules and tickets for the 2026 championships will be released closer to the event.

This year's event is being held in Kamloops, B.C., and wraps up Saturday.