The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Canadian Ringette Championship took place on March 29, 2026, at the Steve Yzerman Arena at the Nepean Sportsplex in Nepean, the riding of the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Member of Parliament for Nepean and Prime Minister of Canada. The event brought together athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, and ringette supporters from across the country to celebrate one of Canada’s fastest-growing sports and recognise the dedication and achievements of young athletes.
The championship provided an opportunity for players of all ages to showcase their skills, sportsmanship, and commitment to teamwork while representing their communities on a national stage. Hosted in Nepean, the tournament highlighted the strength of the local ringette community and the important role that community organisations play in creating opportunities for youth participation in sport.
As part of the opening celebrations, Madame Diana Fox Carney, spouse of Prime Minister Carney, joined the U16AA girls’ Nepean Ravens team from the Nepean Ringette Association on the ice, participating in a friendly match with the young athletes competing in the tournament. Her participation celebrated the achievements of these athletes and highlighted the importance of encouraging young women to pursue their passions, build confidence, and develop leadership skills through sport.
Madame Fox Carney also met with members of the Nepean team who recently earned a bronze medal at the Ringette Ontario A Provincial Championships. She congratulated the athletes on their achievement and recognized their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. She emphasized the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of young female athletes and encouraging the next generation of women to pursue their goals both on and off the ice.
Throughout the event, Madame Fox Carney connected with players, coaches, and volunteers, thanking them for their contributions to building a welcoming and inclusive sporting community in Nepean. She recognized the important role that parents, coaches, officials, and community volunteers play in supporting young athletes and helping create positive experiences for the next generation.
Madame Diana Fox Carney takes part in a friendly match with bronze medal recipients of the U16AA Nepean Ravens in celebration of the 2026 Canadian Ringette Championship Opening Ceremony at the Steve Yzerman Arena at the Nepean Sportsplex.
The celebration reflected the power of sport to bring communities together, inspire young Canadians, and provide opportunities for youth to develop confidence, teamwork, and lifelong skills. Events such as the Canadian Ringette Championship demonstrate the strength of Nepean’s community spirit and the continued success of local athletes competing at the provincial and national levels.
The event comes as Canada's new government's first Spring Economic Update included a historic investment of more than $750 million in sports over the next five years, and nearly $120 million ongoing. The new $755 million investment will expand access to sport across the country, allowing the Government of Canada to bring more world-class sporting events to Canada, support our athletes and the next generation to compete at the highest levels, and get more Canadians involved in sport in their communities.