The Winnipeg Sea Bears won their first franchise championship by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84 on Saturday [1], [3].
The victory marks a historic milestone for the organization, establishing the team as a dominant force in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and capping a successful season in front of a home crowd.
The championship game took place on Aug. 15, 2026 [3], at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba [3], [4]. A crowd of 12,519 fans attended the event to watch the Sea Bears secure the title [4].
Xavier Moon led the scoring effort for Winnipeg with 29 points [1]. Simon Hildebrandt contributed 24 points to the final tally [1]. Together, their offensive performance helped the Sea Bears maintain a steady lead over the Honey Badgers throughout the contest.
While the game ended in a decisive victory, the path to the final was unconventional. The championship was originally intended to be a three-game series concluding on Sunday [5]. However, Global News said the first game was suspended early due to condensation on the court and was subsequently cancelled [5]. This disruption resulted in the title being decided by the single game played Saturday [1], [3].
The Sea Bears' victory concludes their 2026 campaign with a franchise-best result. The team outscored Brampton by 14 points to seal the 98-84 win [1], [3].
“The Winnipeg Sea Bears won their first franchise championship by defeating the Brampton Honey Badgers 98-84.”
This championship signals a shift in the CEBL power balance toward Winnipeg, proving the franchise can successfully integrate high-scoring talent like Moon and Hildebrandt. The victory also demonstrates the significant commercial draw of professional basketball in Manitoba, evidenced by the five-figure attendance at the Canada Life Centre.
