It's a massive sports weekend in the Central Okanagan as hockey season officially begins and the Sun are looking to clinch the top of the standings.
Kelowna Rockets
Expectations are high for the 2024-25 Kelowna Rockets going into the season.
Ranked 10th in the entire CHL earlier this week, the Rockets have five players drafted by NHL teams on the roster this season: Tij Iginla (Utah), Andrew Cristall (Washington), Caden Price (Seattle), Hiroki Gojsic (Nashville), and Max Graham (New Jersey).
After winning just one of four preseason games, the Rockets open the regular season on Saturday, Sept. 21 as they welcome the Portland Winterhawks to town.
Puck drop is at 6:05 p.m. and tickets are still available at the Select Your Tickets website.
West Kelowna Warriors
The West Kelowna Warriors are looking to have another big season and make a long playoff run, and it all starts with a road trip in the Kootenays this weekend.
On Friday night, the Warriors are on the Cranbrook Bucks at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook while the following night, they're in Trail to take on the Smoke Eaters.
The Warriors finished the preseason 3-1, with the only loss coming against Cranbrook.
Friday night's puck drop is at 6 p.m. Pacific time and Saturday is at 7 p.m.
Okanagan Sun
Saturday's contest is a massive one for the Okanagan Sun.
With a win over the 5-2 Westshore Rebels, the Sun will improve to 9-0 and clinch the top spot in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC).
Going into the game, Sun running back Elelyon Noa leads the BCFC with 17 touchdowns and 1,152 rushing yards.
Throughout the game, Kelowna Minor Football (KMF) will be celebrated. Any KMF player wearing their jersey will get into the game for free. Also, former Sun player and gold medal-winning Olympian will be in attendance, at the main entrance plaza from 6 p.m. to throughout the first quarter.
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Apple Bowl.
Kelowna Chiefs
The Kelowna Chiefs also open the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) season on Saturday night as they welcome division rivals, the Osoyoos Coyotes to Rutland Arena.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
UBCO
It's a massive weekend for UBC Okanagan athletes as eight different teams are in action.
The only team playing in Kelowna is women's soccer (2-3), who are hosting their homecoming weekend against the 1-3-1 Mount Royal University Cougars on Friday night and the 3-1-1 University of Victoria Vikes on Saturday night.
The other teams all on the road this weekend are: men's soccer, men's golf, women's golf, men's rugby, cross country, women's softball, and women's volleyball.
