The City of Surrey will once again host the Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival, taking place from Jan. 23–25 at the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex, the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex, and the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex.
The festival brings together teams from across Canada and the United States for one of North America’s top youth female hockey events.
“Surrey is proud to welcome WickFest back to our city,” said Mayor Brenda Locke.
“This event showcases the strength, skill, and leadership of female athletes while empowering young players and inspiring the next generation. Supported by a $15,000 City of Surrey sport tourism grant, WickFest continues to grow, strengthening our community and reinforcing Surrey’s reputation as a destination for sport and youth development.”
This year, participation is at an all-time high, with a record 80 teams taking part in the tournament, giving young female hockey players the chance to compete at a high level and develop their skills. All games are open to the public, with schedules and event details available at wickfest.com.
“We’re thrilled to be back at North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex, Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex and new this year, the Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex for this incredible event,” said Hayley Wickenheiser, four-time Olympic gold medalist and founder of the tournament. “We’re deeply grateful to the City of Surrey for their continued support in helping us create space for this tournament to grow, while offering young girls the opportunity to experience and engage with a sport they might not have otherwise explored.”
“The Surrey Female Hockey Association is proud to continue to serve as the local host for WickFest,” said Lara Nedila, president, Surrey Female Hockey Association. “This partnership is a cornerstone of our season, bringing the global community of female minor hockey directly to our home ice and providing our players with inspiration from the legends of the game. Hosting an event of this caliber reinforces our commitment to developing confident athletes and growing the sport in our community. The energy and world-class experience of WickFest fuel our club programs year-round, creating lasting memories and opportunities for every member of the SFHA family.”
The City’s Sport Tourism Strategy aims to advance Surrey as a leader in the sport tourism sector, maximizing economic benefits and sport development opportunities. Last year, 36 major events brought athletes, teams, and visitors to the city, generating an estimated $31.6 million in economic impact.
For more information about sport tourism in Surrey, visit surrey.ca/sportsurrey.
