Basketball, music, and culture will collide in Winnipeg as the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the matchups for the 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25). The event tips off on Thursday, August 21, and runs through Sunday, August 24.
The Scarborough Shooting Stars and Calgary Surge advanced to CW25 after winning their Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals, joining the defending champion Niagara River Lions and host Winnipeg Sea Bears.
On Friday, August 22, Canada Life Centre will host the Conference Finals doubleheader. Niagara faces Scarborough in the Eastern Conference matchup at 5:00 p.m. CDT, followed by Winnipeg taking on Calgary in the Western Conference Final at 7:30 p.m. CDT. Halftime shows will feature Winnipeg-based artists The Lytics and Boogey The Beat.
Winners will advance to the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. CDT, highlighted by a halftime performance from Canadian rapper k-os.
Premier Wab Kinew emphasized Winnipeg’s connection to basketball: “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.”
Mayor Scott Gillingham added, “This is a chance to showcase not only incredible basketball and entertainment, but also exciting changes happening in our downtown.”
David Asper, Chair and Owner of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, said, “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.”
Tickets are available at cebl.ca/cw25/tickets. Games will be broadcast on TSN, RDS, NLSE, CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, and TSN+.
CW25 will also feature several events:
- 2025 CEBL Awards: Thursday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. CDT at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre.
- CW25 PlayNow Street Festival: August 22–24, Graham Avenue and True North Square.
- CW25 Commissioner’s Luncheon: Friday, August 22, 11:30 a.m. CDT at the RBC Convention Centre.
- CW25 CEBL Coaches Clinic: Saturday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. CDT at the RBC Convention Centre.
The full CW25 spectator guide is available at cebl.ca/championshipweekend.