The popular North American Cup pond hockey tournament returns to Gravenhurst, Ontario, from February 20 to February 22, 2026, marking the event’s 20th anniversary. After the 2025 tournament was cancelled when Muskoka was hit by almost eight feet of snow that made ice surfaces unsafe, organizers expect roughly 120 teams and more than 1,000 participants to converge on the Muskoka Wharf.
Organized by On The Pond! Canada, the tournament — according to the organizer’s website — will feature six divisions playing on roughly 20 to 25 rinks cleared directly on the frozen lake. Local businesses at the Muskoka Wharf say they expect a busy weekend; tourism and business groups describe the event as a significant winter revenue boost. Discover Muskoka and the event organizers are marketing this year as the biggest North American Cup yet.
The return is a relief for fans after the 2025 tournament was cancelled due to the exceptional snowfall. An official event statement on On The Pond! Canada’s website emphasizes bringing hockey “back to where it belongs — outdoors, on a frozen lake,” while tournament president Rob Carleton said, “We had teams booked from Florida last year, but sadly the 2025 tournament had to be cancelled because Muskoka was hit by almost eight feet of snow.” Carleton has been the lead spokesperson on ice safety and tournament logistics.
Visitors and locals should also be aware of updated parking rules set by the Town of Gravenhurst. The town’s revised Parking Control Bylaw prohibits overnight parking on municipal roads and in municipal lots between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. during the winter season (November 1–April 30). Attendees are advised to use designated hotel parking or official municipal lots and to watch for temporary signage and enforcement during the event weekend.
