Nearly every arena and ice pad across Chatham-Kent has been nominated as part of the 20th anniversary of Kraft Hockeyville.
The nationwide contest opened on January 1, with arenas in Chatham, Blenheim, Dresden, Ridgetown, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, Wheatley, and Walpole Island all getting nominations.
This year, the program is expanding to include one winning community from each of the 13 provinces and territories, meaning at least one Ontario community will receive $50,000.
The “Nominate and Rally” phase of the contest will run through March 1, during which supporters can make submissions and post on social media to earn points for the local community. Judges will then select the top 13 winners, who will be announced on March 14.
From there, the judges will pick the top two finalists, who will compete head-to-head in a nationwide vote to determine the Kraft Hockeyville 2026 grand prize winner. The runner up will receive $100,000, while the top prize is $250,000 and the opportunity to host an NHL preseason game.
For more information on the contest or to make a submission, click here.
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Local Arenas Already Nominated:
- Chatham Memorial Arena
- Blenheim Memorial Arena
- Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre
- Ridgetown Arena
- Tilbury Memorial Arena
- Walpole Island Community Centre,
- Wallaceburg Memorial Arena
- Wheatley Area Arena