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OTTAWA – Baseball Canada is proud to announce the launch of THE ROAD TO OKOTOKS, a premier Baseball Canada National Championship culminating in the crowning of a champion from July 14–19, 2026, in Okotoks, Alberta.
This new competition for players 19 years of age and under will feature 16 elite teams from across the country, all vying for the prestigious Morneau Cup, named in honour of Justin Morneau, the former American League MVP, Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer, and Minnesota Twins legend.
“It’s an honour to have my name attached to an event that brings together the top amateur talent in the country,” said Justin Morneau. “Competing in a high-stakes national championship like this pushes athletes to rise to the occasion, and take pride in representing their teams and communities. I’m proud to support an initiative that celebrates excellence and helps grow the game across Canada.”
Hosted by the Okotoks Dawgs, the 2026 Baseball Canada National Championship will be staged at one of the country’s premier amateur baseball facilities.
Seaman Stadium will serve as the primary venue, with additional games played at the adjacent Tourmaline Field. Home to the Okotoks Dawgs of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), Seaman Stadium is widely regarded as one of the top amateur baseball venues in North America. The 5,200-seat stadium regularly welcomes capacity crowds and was ranked by U.S. publication Ballpark Digest as the #1 overall baseball draw in Alberta, the top summer collegiate baseball draw in Canada, and among the top three summer collegiate draws in North America.
“The Dawgs are thrilled to host the very best of youth baseball from across the country,” said Okotoks Dawgs Founding/Managing Director John Ircandia. “There is no better venue than the Seaman Stadium Complex, and as demonstrated by the sold out crowds we experience every summer, no better fan base than Okotoks, the communities of the Foothills and the Greater Calgary Area. Rather than have our most elite teams go to tournaments in the United States, it is a game changer that Baseball Canada will provide a format in our own country where the best can meet the best. We cannot wait.”
THE ROAD TO OKOTOKS officially begins in May and June 2026, with three Regional Qualifiers hosted by some of the top amateur programs in Canada. These events will determine the 16 teams advancing to the national championship in Okotoks, Alberta, where one team will raise the inaugural Morneau Cup following six days of intense competition.
Regional Qualifier hosts:
BC - Langley Blaze and White Rock Tritons
Alberta - Prairie Baseball Academy and Vauxhall Academy
*All games will be held in Lethbridge
Ontario - Mississauga Tigers HPP, Ontario Blue Jays, Ontario Nationals and Ontario Terriers
“THE ROAD TO OKOTOKS is a bold new chapter for amateur baseball in Canada,” said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. “We’re creating a platform that not only celebrates elite competition but also supports player development and exposure. Just as importantly, this event helps unify our baseball community from coast to coast by bringing the best together on a national stage. We’re thrilled to launch this with support from the Okotoks Dawgs, Justin Morneau, and some of the most respected amateur programs in the country.”
To ensure Canada’s top amateur talent is represented at the national event, all 16 qualifying teams will participate in a one-round draft ahead of the championship in Okotoks. The draft allows teams the opportunity to strengthen their rosters by selecting athletes who meet eligibility criteria.
This unique format not only elevates the level of competition but also creates opportunities for standout players from across the country to compete on the national stage while showcasing their abilities to professional, college and Junior National Team evaluators.
“This event represents a major step forward in providing elite Canadian amateur players with meaningful, high-level competition,” said Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada’s Director of National Teams and Head Coach of the Junior National Team. “THE ROAD TO OKOTOKS will deliver a true best-on-best environment with national bragging rights on the line — a setting that challenges our top athletes and prepares them for the next level. It’s an exciting initiative that will elevate amateur baseball in Canada.”
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