The Calgary Surge continue to act as a catalyst for the growth of basketball in Alberta, with the team announcing an expanded home schedule for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. The schedule, revealed Thursday by the team and its parent company REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc., will feature marquee games in Lethbridge, Red Deer, and at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.
Surging Popularity
The Surge's popularity is on the rise, and the three additional marquee games are expected to further fuel this momentum. The team aims to expand its brand across the city and province, building on the success of previous ventures in Red Deer and at the Saddledome. These games have drawn tens of thousands of Albertans, creating an electric atmosphere and showcasing the growing passion for basketball in the region.
“Tens of thousands of Albertans have embraced the Surge and the CEBL, and we take seriously the responsibility that comes with that support,” said Jason Ribeiro, Co-Chairman & President of REAL Entertainment & Culture Inc. “As live events operators and community builders, we believe these marquee games do more than showcase great basketball — they create energy, drive economic impact and help strengthen communities across our province.”
Ribeiro expressed gratitude for partnerships with venues, municipalities, and fans that have enabled the scaling of basketball growth across Canada.
Expanding Reach Beyond WinSport
The Surge typically play their home games at the WinSport Event Centre, but the team has been actively expanding its reach. The 2026 schedule includes stops at other venues, bringing high-energy professional basketball to communities across Alberta. The success of last summer's ventures in Red Deer and the Saddledome has paved the way for this expanded approach.
“The Calgary Surge continue to find impactful ways to bring the CEBL experience to Albertans,” said CEBL President and CEO Ty Mazereeuw. “These marquee events will deliver exciting pro basketball featuring teams from three provinces, connecting Canadians and their communities through our sport.”
Full 2026 Home Schedule
The Surge's 24-game season includes 12 home games, with the following schedule:
- May 28 — vs. Scarborough Shooting Stars, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- May 31 — vs. Edmonton Stingers, 4 p.m., Red Deer Centrium
- June 10 — vs. Saskatoon Mamba, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- June 14 — vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears, 6 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- June 17 — vs. Brampton Honey Badgers, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- June 20 — vs. Montreal Alliance, 6 p.m., Lethbridge
- July 9 — vs. Vancouver Bandits, 8 p.m., Scotiabank Saddledome
- July 17 — vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- July 19 — vs. Saskatoon Mamba, 6 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- July 21 — vs. Vancouver Bandits, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- July 24 — vs. Edmonton Stingers, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
- July 31 — vs. Niagara River Lions, 8 p.m., WinSport Event Centre
Return to Red Deer
Building on the success of the league's first neutral-site regular-season game, the Surge will return to Red Deer's Marchant Crane Centrium for SURGE 2 RED DEER for the second consecutive year. The team will face arch-rival Edmonton Stingers on Sunday, May 31, at 4 p.m., welcoming fans from across the province. Last year's Battle of Alberta was the fourth-highest grossing and attended game in franchise history, highlighting Red Deer's growing passion for basketball and arts and culture.
The Surge's commitment to expanding their footprint underscores the team's role as a key driver of basketball's growth in Alberta and beyond.
