2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien to begin Friday, March 27
Calgary, Alta. – The 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien are set to begin this Friday, March 27, following 782 WHL Regular Season games, which saw the Everett Silvertips presented with the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season champions and Medicine Hat Tigers forward Markus Ruck recognized with the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s Top Scorer.
The first night of the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien features a full slate of games, with all eight playoff series getting underway and streaming FREE on Victory+.
2026 WHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
2025-26 WHL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
2025-26 WHL REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS
WATCH WHL HOCKEY FREE on VICTORY+
From the Desk of WHL Commissioner Dan Near
WHL Fans, Partners, Friends, and Colleagues,
This truly is the greatest time of year – a time when we gather in our local communities to enjoy the exhilaration that is the WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. WHL Clubs sit at the heart of the communities in which they operate in, and the Playoffs are the time of year where fans and players alike are rewarded for their season-long commitment and passion for their Club. No matter where you call home or what WHL team you cheer for, thank you for your ongoing support of the world’s premier development league and thank you for the energy and enthusiasm you bring to the sport.
This week, 16 WHL Clubs begin one of the most difficult journeys in hockey – the pursuit of the Ed Chynoweth Cup. We are thrilled to have incredible matchups, featuring future NHL stars, and what will surely be intense competition. Once again, we are proud to have our partner Victory+ streaming the WHL Playoffs for FREE worldwide. Through one year with Victory+, we are only scratching the surface when it comes to delivering more accessible WHL content for fans – including live games, classic games from the archive, weekly features, VOD content and more.
Before we drop the puck to start the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all those across the WHL who show up every single day. It takes more than a village to support your local WHL Club and the young men chasing their dreams of one day competing in the National Hockey League.
I’ll see you at the rink!
- WHL Commissioner Dan Near
Nutrien Returns as Official Presenting Partner of 2026 WHL Playoffs and WHL Championship Series
For the fourth consecutive season, Nutrien Ltd. (TSX and NYSE: NTR) returns as the Official Presenting Partner of the 2026 WHL Playoffs and WHL Championship Series.
“Nutrien plays a critical role in helping farmers produce the food the world needs, and our partnership with the Western Hockey League gives us an incredible opportunity to connect with passionate fans who share our drive for winning and excellence on the ice, in the field or at our operations,” said Lori Free, Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Culture with Nutrien. “From agriculture to skilled trades, manufacturing, engineering and business professionals, we’re looking for talented people to join Nutrien where we offer careers with purpose, grounded in safety and integrity, and strengthened by teamwork.”
Nutrien and the WHL represent a natural fit as both have been key community builders in the west for more than 60 years. Nutrien is proud to have its global headquarters located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, along with retail branches throughout all four Western Canadian provinces and the Pacific Northwest United States. In addition, we operate six potash mines in Saskatchewan and nitrogen production facilities in Alberta and Washington State. Like the WHL, Nutrien strives to be a meaningful partner in the communities where its employees live and work.
As presenting partner of the 2026 WHL Playoffs, Nutrien will be visible throughout WHL arenas in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest U.S., including as the official helmet sponsor of WHL Officials. Nutrien will also serve as the official helmet sponsor of competing players during the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
WHL Surpasses 3.2 Million in Regular Season Attendance for 2025-26
The WHL announced today Regular Season attendance for 2025-26 has surpassed 3.2 million fans, representing the highest League-wide total since 2018-19.
WHL Regular Season Total Attendance
2025-26: 3,236,196
2024-25: 3,122,466
2023-24: 3,076,922
2022-23: 2,913,512
2021-22: 2,397,588
2020-21: N/A
2019-20*: 2,882,799
2018-19: 3,261,712
* = COVID-19 shortened regular season (694 games played)
2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien Streaming FREE on Victory+
The 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien begin Friday, March 27, with the first three rounds streaming FREE on Victory+ worldwide. Simply visit victoryplus.com to download the app and get started streaming the 2026 WHL Playoffs for FREE.
WHL fans can look forward to selecting their preferred feed, with both home and away feeds available through Victory+. The WHL on Victory+ will allow WHL fans to follow their favourite teams and players on the road to the WHL Championship. With Victory+ offering a free, ad-supported streaming service, this ensures the game is accessible to everyone, no matter where they are or what devices they use, including Samsung and Vizio smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android and web browser.
How to Stream on Victory+
Simply download the Victory+ app to your connected TV, tablet or mobile device today!
Visit help.victoryplus.com for more information on adding the Victory+ app to your specific device types, and reference these helpful links below.
Roku | Apple TV | Fire Stick | Samsung | Vizio | iOS | Android | Google TV | Android TV | Vidaa | Web
2026 WHL Playoff Bracket Challenge
New for the 2026 WHL Playoffs, fans can win a pair of season seats for their favourite team next season by participating in the 2026 WHL Playoff Bracket Challenge. The contest opened Monday, March 23, and brackets can be submitted through Monday, March 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Visit contests.chl.ca/whl-bracket to complete your bracket today. See complete Contest Rules for more.
2026 WHL Playoffs Format
The 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien features the Conference Playoff format for the fifth consecutive season.
The first-place teams in the two Divisions in each Conference will receive the top two playoff seeds 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 WHL Conference Championships presented by Nutrien will be reseeded each round based on Regular Season points. The two Conference Champions will advance to the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien, with the Club possessing the most Regular Season points receiving home-ice advantage.
All series throughout the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien will follow a best-of-seven format.
The 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien will conclude with the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien, scheduled to be played from Friday, May 8, through Monday, May 18.
The winner of the 2026 WHL Championship Series will represent the Western Hockey League at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, which will be contested from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31, in Kelowna, B.C.
2026 WHL Playoffs – First Round Matchups
Eastern Conference
(1) Prince Albert Raiders vs. (8) Red Deer Rebels
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Red Deer at Prince Albert, 7 p.m. MT
Game 2: Saturday, March 28 – Red Deer at Prince Albert, 7 p.m. MT
Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Prince Albert at Red Deer, 7 p.m. MT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Prince Albert at Red Deer, 7 p.m. MT
*Game 5: Friday, April 3 – Red Deer at Prince Albert, 7 p.m. MT
*Game 6: Sunday, April 5 – Prince Albert at Red Deer, 4 p.m. MT
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 7 – Red Deer at Prince Albert, 7 p.m. MT
(2) Medicine Hat Tigers vs. (7) Regina Pats
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Regina at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m. MT
Game 2: Saturday, March 28 – Regina at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m. MT
Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Medicine Hat at Regina, 7 p.m. MT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Medicine Hat at Regina, 7 p.m. MT
*Game 5: Saturday, April 4 – Regina at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m. MT
*Game 6: Sunday, April 5 – Medicine Hat at Regina, 6 p.m. MT
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 7 – Regina at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m. MT
(3) Edmonton Oil Kings vs. (6) Saskatoon Blades
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Saskatoon at Edmonton, 7 p.m. MT
Game 2: Sunday, March 29 – Saskatoon at Edmonton, 2 p.m. MT
Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Edmonton at Saskatoon, 7 p.m. MT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Edmonton at Saskatoon, 7 p.m. MT
*Game 5: Friday, April 3 – Saskatoon at Edmonton, 6 p.m. MT
*Game 6: Sunday, April 5 – Edmonton at Saskatoon, 2 p.m. MT
*Game 7: Monday, April 6 – Saskatoon at Edmonton, 7 p.m. MT
(4) Calgary Hitmen vs. (5) Brandon Wheat Kings
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Brandon at Calgary, 7 p.m. MT
Game 2: Sunday, March 29 – Brandon at Calgary, 7 p.m. MT
^Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Calgary at Brandon, 7 p.m. CT
^Game 4: Thursday, April 2 – Calgary at Brandon, 7 p.m. CT
^*Game 5: Friday, April 3 – Calgary at Brandon, 7 p.m. CT
*Game 6: Sunday, April 5 – Brandon at Calgary, 5 p.m. CT
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 7 – Brandon at Calgary, 7 p.m. MT
^ = at Virden, Man.
Western Conference
(1) Everett Silvertips vs. (8) Portland Winterhawks
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Portland at Everett, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 2: Saturday, March 28 – Portland at Everett, 6:05 p.m. PT
Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Everett at Portland, 7 p.m. PT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Everett at Portland, 7 p.m. PT
*Game 5: Friday, April 3 – Portland at Everett, 7:05 p.m. PT
*Game 6: Saturday, April 4 – Everett at Portland, 6 p.m. PT
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 7 – Portland at Everett, 7:05 p.m. PT
(2) Penticton Vees vs. (7) Seattle Thunderbirds
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Seattle at Penticton, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 2: Saturday, March 28 – Seattle at Penticton, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Penticton at Seattle, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Penticton at Seattle, 7:05 p.m. PT
*Game 5: Friday, April 3 – Seattle at Penticton, 7:05 p.m. PT
*Game 6: Sunday, April 5 – Penticton at Seattle, 5:05 p.m. PT
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 7 – Seattle at Penticton, 7:05 p.m. PT
(3) Prince George Cougars vs. (6) Spokane Chiefs
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Spokane at Prince George, 7 p.m. PT
Game 2: Saturday, March 28 – Spokane at Prince George, 6 p.m. PT
Game 3: Monday, March 30 – Prince George at Spokane, 7 p.m. PT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Prince George at Spokane, 7 p.m. PT
*Game 5: Thursday, April 2 – Prince George at Spokane, 6:05 p.m. PT
*Game 6: Sunday, April 5 – Spokane at Prince George, 6 p.m. PT
*Game 7: Monday, April 6 – Spokane at Prince George, 7 p.m. PT
(4) Kelowna Rockets vs. (5) Kamloops Blazers
Game 1: Friday, March 27 – Kamloops at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 2: Saturday, March 28 – Kamloops at Kelowna, 6:05 p.m. PT
Game 3: Tuesday, March 31 – Kelowna at Kamloops, 7 p.m. PT
Game 4: Wednesday, April 1 – Kelowna at Kamloops, 7 p.m. PT
*Game 5: Friday, April 3 – Kamloops at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m. PT
*Game 6: Saturday, April 4 – Kelowna at Kamloops, 6 p.m. PT
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 7 – Kamloops at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m. PT
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
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