One of Canada’s biggest baseball tournaments will be swinging its way into Summerside, P.E.I. next year.

            The city was announced recently as the host of the 2026 Canada Cup. The event is designed for players up to the age of 17 years.

            It will take place at Queen Elizabeth Park from Aug. 5 to 9, 2026.

            Tanner Doiron, city event manager, said Summerside made a bid to host the Canada Cup after consulting with community volunteers.

            “We were up against three or four other communities, and we ended up getting a call that we were successful in our bid.”

            The city will pay a hosting fee of around $5,000 for the Canada Cup. The cost will be recouped through ticket sales and sponsorships.

            The city hopes the event will generate up to $5 million.

            Doiron said volunteers, community partners and businesses will be ready for the Canada Cup because of previous experience with other high-profile sport events.

            “It's kind of a cut-and-paste now because we've done it so often.”

            Doiron, a former president of the Summerside Area Baseball Association, is excited to see the Canada Cup come to the city.

            He said the event fits the community’s sports and entertainment tourism objectives and will create a positive economic impact.

            “Every time we get another event, especially a new event we have to host like the Canada Cup, it builds on our reputation.”

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            Summerside mayor Dan Kutcher is also looking forward to the Canada Cup.

            Hundreds of athletes, families and fans are expected to come and attend the event.

            He said it is an opportunity to showcase the city and provide a stepping stone for participating athletes to advance further in their athletic endeavours.

            “(It) just creates an all-around, good atmosphere for people to come together.”

            Kutcher has seen the Summerside’s sports and entertainment tourism program grow over time, building relationships with organizations like Baseball Canada and Curling Canada.

            This has resulted in more high-profile events coming to the city.

            It is important for the city to host events like the Canada Cup to further increase investments in its infrastructure, said Kutcher.

            “Once you get rolling and get good at it, and Summerside is good at it, it's worth every cent that we put into it.”

            Kutcher added that Summerside is a premier sports and entertainment destination and will continue to build on its reputation.

            “We certainly punch well above our weight in the sports entertainment tourism sort of space, and we’re proud of that.”

Summerside mayor Dan Kutcher is looking forward to the Aug. 2026 Canada Cup coming to the city. He says the city is a premier destination for sports and entertainment tourism, and this will help add to its reputation. Blaine Auld photo.