The 2026 WHL Playoffs and the battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup will begin Friday, March 27, 2026, culminating with the 2026 WHL Championship Series from Friday, May 8, through Monday, May 18.
The first-place teams in the two Divisions in each Conference will receive the top two playoff seeds in the first round only based on Regular Season points. The next six Clubs in each Conference, based on Regular Season points, will receive the third to eighth playoff positions.
Clubs advancing to the second round and Conference Championships will be re-seeded each round based on Regular Season points. The two Conference Champions will advance to the WHL Championship Series, with the Club possessing the most Regular Season points receiving home-ice advantage.
All series throughout the 2026 WHL Playoffs will follow a best-of-seven format.
The 2026 Memorial Cup will be hosted in Kelowna, B.C., by the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31, 2026.