Montreal hosts the first national short track event of the season from September 24-26 at Maurice Richard Arena
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – Canada’s fastest short track speed skaters are set to launch the 2026-27 season later this week at the 2026 Canadian Short Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance, taking place September 24-26 at the iconic Maurice Richard Arena.
As the first major event of a new Olympic cycle, these championships will provide an early glimpse at the athletes aiming to represent Canada on the international stage this season and in the years ahead. With national titles, domestic rankings points, and coveted spots on the World Tour team all on the line, fans can expect three days of high-speed action, tactical racing, and fierce competition.
More than national titles at stake
The Canadian Short Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance features the country’s top 40 skaters per gender category vying to be crowned the overall national champion. The results from this competition are used to help select the team that will represent Canada on the ISU Short Track World Tour and at other targeted international competitions. Skaters also accumulate points towards the Canadian Rankings, which are used to select the National and NextGen teams for the following season.
All team selections will be made in accordance with the criteria established in the 2026-27 Short Track Master Bulletin.
A challenging test against the country’s very best
This grueling three-day competition will see skaters complete each of the three individual distances (500m, 1000m, 1500m) two separate times. That means six races per athlete, plenty of opportunities to gain points, and very little room for error. The demanding format rewards consistency and resilience, making the battle for overall championship one of the most challenging tests in Canadian speed skating.
- Thursday, September 24: 1500m-1, 500m-1
- Friday, September 25: 1000m-1, 1500m-2
- Saturday, September 26: 500m-2, 1000m-2
The detailed schedule, start lists and live results can be accessed on Sportity.
Watch live from anywhere
Fans across Canada and around the world won’t miss a moment of the action as the entire competition will be streamed live on CBC Sports and Radio-Canada Sports digital platforms, as well as on Speed Skating Canada’s YouTube channel. Whether you’re following your favourite athlete or simply love the thrill of short track racing, the weekend promises plenty of dramatic finishes and edge-of-your-seat moments.
Day 1 – Thursday, September 24
Day 2 – Friday, September 25
Day 3 – Saturday, September 26
The start of a new season always brings fresh storylines, emerging talent, and renewed ambitions. With national titles and World Tour spots on the line, the 2026 Canadian Short Track Championships presented by Intact Insurance are shaping up to be an exciting opening chapter to the 2026-27 season.
Check out the full list of athletes that will be lacing up their skates in Montreal.