The Winnipeg Sea Bears won their first Canadian Elite Basketball League championship on Saturday evening [1].
The victory marks a historic milestone for professional basketball in Manitoba, proving the city can support and sustain a championship-caliber franchise [2].
Playing at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, the Sea Bears secured the title by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers [1, 2]. The final score of the championship game was 98-84 [3]. This victory represents the first CEBL title for the organization since its inception [1].
The 2026 final saw the Sea Bears maintain a strong lead throughout the contest to secure the trophy on their home court [3]. The atmosphere at the Canada Life Centre reflected the growing appetite for professional basketball in the region [2].
Throughout the season, the Sea Bears worked to build a roster capable of competing at the highest level of the league. By overcoming the Honey Badgers in the final, the team established itself as a dominant force in the Canadian basketball landscape [1, 3].
“The Winnipeg Sea Bears won their first Canadian Elite Basketball League championship.”
This championship validates the Sea Bears' operational model and demonstrates that Winnipeg is a viable hub for professional basketball. By winning the title at the Canada Life Centre, the franchise has strengthened its local brand equity and provided a blueprint for other mid-market Canadian cities seeking to compete in the CEBL.
