Matchups Set: Winnipeg to Host Calgary, Niagara and Scarborough at CW25

August 16, 2025

Basketball, music, and culture collide in Winnipeg as the biggest annual celebration of Canadian basketball tips off August 21

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) matchups are set for 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) in Winnipeg, MB, as the Scarborough Shooting Stars and Calgary Surge punched their tickets to the Conference Finals this afternoon with wins in the CEBL’s Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals.


The Conference Finals doubleheader at CW25 on Friday, August 22 will feature the defending champion Niagara River Lions taking on Scarborough in the Eastern Conference matchup at 5 p.m. CDT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the host Winnipeg Sea Bears facing Calgary in the Western Conference tilt at 7:30 p.m. CDT / 8:30 p.m. ET. Halftime shows on Friday will include performances by Winnipeg-based musicians The Lytics (West) and Boogey The Beat (East).


“Winnipeg knows how to show up for our teams. The Sea Bears have brought our city together, and now the CEBL championship is our chance to show Canada what Winnipeg basketball is all about,” said Hon. Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba. “To all the teams joining us from across the country, welcome to Winnipeg. We’re glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to show you the best of our city.”


Winners of the Conference Final games will clash in the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24 at 6 p.m. CDT / 7 p.m. ET, where acclaimed Canadian rapper k-os will be the official halftime performer.


“Winnipeg is thrilled to welcome basketball fans from across Canada for CEBL Championship Weekend,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg. “This is a chance to showcase not only incredible basketball and entertainment, but also exciting changes happening in our downtown. Graham Avenue will be full of activity as we continue our work to make it a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly destination for residents and visitors.”


All CW25 games will be played at Canada Life Centre, and tickets are available at cebl.ca/cw25/tickets. Each game will be televised live on TSN and RDS in Canada, NLSE in the United States, and streamed on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet as well as TSN+.


“We’re thrilled to welcome Canada to Winnipeg for CEBL Championship Weekend,” said David Asper, Chair and Owner of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. “It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase our city’s passion for basketball and hospitality, and we can’t wait to see the Sea Bears hit the court in the Western Conference Final on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Winnipeg fans are amazing and the energy in the arena is going to be electric.”


With CW25 set to take over Winnipeg, the CEBL, Sea Bears, Province of Manitoba, and City of Winnipeg are ready to deliver four days of world-class basketball, live music, and premium fan-friendly events, including:


  • 2025 CEBL Awards

- Thursday, August 21 – 7 p.m. CDT (Doors open at 6 p.m. CDT) at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre (The MET)

- The annual CEBL Awards reception at The MET will be the first official fan event of CW25, featuring a performance by The Funk Hunters. Eight awards will be handed out, including MVP, Coach of the Year and Canadian Player of the Year.

- Finalists for the awards were announced earlier this week.


  • CW25 PlayNow Street Festival

- Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 – Downtown Winnipeg (Graham Avenue)

- A free, three-day fan-focused street festival will take over True North Square and Graham Avenue (between Edmonton St. and Hargrave St.), featuring live music on the Princess Auto Main Stage with headliners Shawn Desman, Haviah Mighty, and The Free Label. Guests can enjoy food trucks, the Kal Tire CW3x3 Tournament, the Champions Market powered by Third + Bird, and much more.


  • CW25 Commissioner's Luncheon, Presented by Telpay

- Friday, August 22 – 11:30 a.m. CDT at The RBC Convention Centre

- Hosted in partnership with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce as part of its monthly luncheon series, CEBL Commissioner and Co-Founder Mike Morreale will moderate a panel of industry leaders. Panelists include Stephanie Withall (Vice President of Business & Marketing Operations, Canada Basketball), Norva Riddell (Sr. Vice President, Sales & Chief Revenue Officer, True North Sports and Entertainment), Mark Loewen (President and General Manager, Telpay), and Cheryl Sebastian (Associate Vice President, Global Partnerships, NBA). The group will explore the business of basketball and how brands can connect through the power of sport.


  • CW25 CEBL Coaches Clinic, Presented by Fox40

- Saturday, August 23 – 9 a.m. CDT at The RBC Convention Centre

- Hosted in partnership with the RBC Convention Centre, this all-day event will feature exclusive presentations by CEBL coaches from the six teams not competing at CW25. A lunch break with food provided will be included for all participants. Registered local coaches from minor club, high school, CCAA and U SPORTS programs will gain first-hand experience to learn best practices and coaching techniques to further their own development.


For the CW25 Spectator Guide, please click HERE.


More information on CW25 is available at cebl.ca/championshipweekend.


- CEBL -


About the CEBL

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73 per cent of its rosters being Canadian and more than 15 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.


About the Winnipeg Sea Bears

The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

Sea Bears Sign Canadian Guard Walker

February 19, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears today announce the signing of Canadian guard David Walker. Walker most recently appeared for the Ottawa BlackJacks in the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, where on Aug. 16 2025, in a playoff game, he had a standout performance, scoring 19 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and recording 3 steals in 25 minutes. Prior to his time in Ottawa, he suited up for the Scarborough Shooting Stars in 2025. Walker was also recognized as a finalist for the 2024 CEBL Developmental Player of the Year award. In addition, Walker was a finalist for the 2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year award, recognizing his outstanding performance at the university level and cementing his reputation as one of Canada’s top basketball talents. Over his CEBL career, playing for Brampton Honey Badgers, Scarborough Shooting Stars, and Ottawa BlackJacks, Walker has averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. “David fits the identity we’re building. He’s a tough, physical Canadian guard with league experience who strengthens our Canadian depth,” said Lead Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager Alex Campbell. “He defends with purpose, plays hard, and gets downhill offensively. We believe he has tremendous upside, and I think Sea Bears Nation is going to appreciate the way he competes and works every single day.” Walker was originally selected 22nd overall in the 2024 CEBL Draft and began his professional career with the Brampton Honey Badgers, where he averaged 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 games during the 2024 season. Before turning professional, Walker starred at Toronto Metropolitan University, averaging 16.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the 2023–24 season. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Sea Bears,” said Walker. “Winnipeg has built something special, and I’m coming in ready to bring toughness, versatility, and a winning mindset every time I step on the floor.” ###

Mazereeuw promu Président et Chef de la Direction de la Ligue Elite Canadienne de Basketball

February 19, 2026
Le premier président de l'histoire de la ligue assume un rôle de leadership élargi alors que la ligue professionnelle de basketball du Canada amorce sa prochaine phase de croissance

Mazereeuw Promoted to President and CEO of Canadian Elite Basketball League

February 19, 2026
League’s first-ever President takes on expanded leadership role as Canada’s professional basketball league enters its next phase of growth

Brampton Native Djuricic Inks Deal with Honey Badgers

February 17, 2026
The four-year CEBL veteran and former Harvard standout joins Brampton after winning a championship with Scarborough in 2023

NBA-Experienced Cerda, Brampton Agree to Terms on Head Coaching Role

February 13, 2026
Cerda is currently an Assistant Coach in the Los Angeles Lakers organization.

Vancouver Bandits Make Impactful Community Visits in the Okanagan

February 12, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), are committed to making a positive impact through basketball and growing the game across British Columbia, and this dedication was highlighted this past week in Kelowna and the Okanagan area. Coming off the recent announcement of Kelowna HOOPFEST, a brand-new basketball festival featuring a CEBL neutral-site home game in partnership with the City of Kelowna, Bandits head coach Kyle Julius spent time at five Okanagan-area secondary schools and both of Kelowna’s post-secondary men’s basketball teams, as part of the Vancouver Bandits third-annual Bandits School Tour. Julius and Bandits staff visited Mount Boucherie Secondary School, Immaculata Regional High School, Okanagan Mission Secondary, Rutland Secondary School and Kelowna Secondary, as well as the men’s basketball teams at UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College, providing dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Launched in 2023, the Bandits School Tour is supported by the Bandits Community Foundation, Preston Chevrolet and Envision Financial and offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes and volunteer coaches to learn directly from BC’s only professional basketball coach. “What stood out most during our visit was the impact basketball can have when it is rooted in mentorship and connection; it is clear how vibrant the basketball and business ecosystem is in the Okanagan,” said Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “We are thankful to the Okanagan and Kelowna communities for welcoming us so openly, and this is only the beginning. We are committed to being present and intentional in the lead-up to Kelowna HOOPFEST from June 5th to 7th.” In addition to the Bandits School Tour, Julius and members of Bandits staff had the opportunity to connect with various Okanagan business, media and community leaders, including attending the 51st annual Western Canada Tournament at Kelowna Secondary and a Kelowna Rockets hockey game. ###

Montréal Announces Return of Hometown Star Guerrier

February 11, 2026
Montréal native and team captain returns after a standout 2025 season with the Alliance

Montréal annonce le retour de la vedette locale Guerrier

February 11, 2026
Le Montréalais d'origine et capitaine de l'équipe fait son retour après une saison 2025 exceptionnelle avec l'Alliance.

Veteran Guard Tate Returns to Nation's Capital

February 10, 2026
The franchise's leader in games played and three-pointers made returns to Ottawa for 2026.

Le vétéran de la garde Tate revient dans la capitale nationale

February 10, 2026
Le meneur de la franchise en matchs disputés et en tirs à trois points retourne à Ottawa pour 2026.