Vancouver Canucks Training Camp in Penticton: Your 2026 Fan Guide
Four public days at the South Okanagan Events Centre, including daily skates, fan activations and a packed Super Saturday.
For four mornings in September, the start of the Vancouver Canucks season moves to Penticton. The club’s 2026 Training Camp runs Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20 at the South Okanagan Events Centre, with public on-ice sessions and fan activations in and around the arena.[1]
This is the third consecutive year that the Canucks have opened camp at the SOEC. It gives South Okanagan residents something unusual: a close, early look at an NHL team building its season without the price or pace of a regular-season game.[2]
The useful planning detail is now clearer than it was when the event first appeared on the September calendar. Tickets are on sale, doors are listed for 9:00 a.m. each day, and Saturday has its own expanded program. The final roster and detailed ice information were still to be announced when this guide was checked on September 8, so the official Canucks page remains the last stop before you leave home.[1]
⚡ Training Camp at a Glance
- Dates: Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20, 2026.
- Venue: South Okanagan Events Centre, 853 Eckhardt Avenue West, Penticton.
- Doors: Listed for 9:00 a.m. each day; all times are Pacific and subject to change.
- Tickets: $10 for Thursday, Friday and Sunday; $20 for Super Saturday; limited four-day packages are $30, before additional fees and taxes.
- Best first-timer choice: Saturday for the fullest fan program; a weekday for a simpler practice-focused visit.
What Is Confirmed for All Four Days
The Canucks say all on-ice activity will take place at the SOEC from September 17 to 20. Daily skates and fan activations are planned in and around the building, and the on-ice sessions will be open to the public.[1][2]
The published schedule lists doors at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That is a door time, not a promise that the first drill begins at exactly 9:00. The club labels the schedule subject to change and says the full roster and further camp information will be announced before camp.[1]
That distinction matters. If you want to see a particular player or a specific session, do not rely on a screenshot or an early calendar listing. Recheck the Canucks announcement and your ticket email shortly before attending. Training camp is a working hockey event, and the daily plan can move with roster, travel and coaching needs.
Local planning move: Block the morning and keep lunch flexible. You will enjoy the practice more if you are not watching the clock for a tight reservation immediately afterward.
Why Super Saturday Is Different
Saturday, September 19 is the headline day. The official itinerary includes a morning skate for the group travelling to Seattle, a practice featuring many top-name Canucks players, a Blue/White scrimmage and a question-and-answer session with selected members of the leadership group.[1]
The off-ice program is also larger. The club has announced an elevated Party on the Plaza and a live recording of the Canucks Insider Podcast.[1] For a family or a fan making one visit, Saturday offers the broadest event experience. It is also the day most likely to reward an early, patient arrival because more people will be coming for the scrimmage and fan activities.
Thursday, Friday and Sunday still have a clear advantage: they are less expensive and more directly centred on practice. If your main interest is watching drills, line combinations and the coaching pace of camp, one of those days may suit you better than the busier Saturday program.
Tickets, Prices and the Best Fit for Your Day
Tickets are available through Valley First Tix or in person at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC.[1] The box office lists regular weekday hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but event-day service can differ, so buying ahead is the safer choice.[3]
Choose the day by experience rather than price alone. Saturday is the stronger all-around fan day. Thursday or Friday can work well for retirees, flexible workers and visitors who prefer a quieter weekday outing. Sunday may suit households that want one final camp look before the team moves into its next stage.
The Canucks for Kids Fund Training Camp and Preseason 50/50 raffle opens September 14 and runs through September 22. The club says proceeds will support BC wildfire relief.[1] Participation is separate from admission.
Parking and Arrival Without the Rush
The SOEC is at 853 Eckhardt Avenue West, at the corner of Eckhardt Avenue West and Highway 97. The venue’s parking page says Pay and Display parking for major events and concerts is $20, payable by cash, credit or debit; its current general Know Before You Go page also lists on-site parking at $20 and recommends carpooling, taxi or ride-share.[4][7]
Because those are venue-wide instructions rather than a camp-specific parking notice, check your ticket email for the final event-day rate and lot directions. Do not assume that a parking arrangement from a Penticton Vees game applies to Training Camp.
- Aim for the posted door time. With 9:00 a.m. doors, an earlier parking arrival gives you time to find the correct entrance and clear security.
- Carpool when practical. It reduces the number of vehicles and is specifically suggested by the venue.
- Keep your return flexible. Camp timing can change; avoid a hard appointment immediately after the session.
- Save the ticket before arriving. Have the barcode ready and bring identification if you are collecting tickets at Will Call.
- Check the morning update. Use the official club page and your ticket email, not an old social graphic.
Bag Rules, Food and a More Comfortable Visit
The SOEC clear-bag policy permits clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one-gallon clear freezer bags, and clear backpacks within the same size limit with no more than two pockets. A non-clear clutch, belt bag or wallet no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches is also allowed. Diaper bags and medically necessary items are permitted after inspection.[6]
The simplest option is to carry only your phone, ticket, keys and a small wallet. The venue does not offer bag check, so a prohibited bag can mean a long walk back to the vehicle.[6]
SOEC’s general event guidance says concession stands will be open, outside food and drink are not permitted, and payment is accepted by cash, debit and credit.[7] Event-specific service can vary, so families managing allergies or medical needs should contact Guest Services before the day rather than guessing.
Arena mornings can feel cool even when Penticton is warm outside. Dress in removable layers and choose comfortable footwear for concourses, stairs and any plaza activities. Hearing protection can also make the experience easier for young children or noise-sensitive guests.
Accessibility and Family Details
The SOEC says accessible seating is located throughout the building, depending on the event configuration. Guests should tell the ticket seller about accommodation needs when purchasing; one adjacent companion seat may be purchased.[5]
Accessible parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid accessible parking pass. All entrances are accessible. Elevators are located at Gate 1 and Gate 2, wheelchair-accessible washrooms are available, and family service washrooms on each level include baby change tables.[5]
Guest Services is on the concourse near Section 101. The venue lists help with transportation information, emergency assistance, some hearing-assist devices, wheelchair or stroller storage, ticket questions and lost-and-found support.[5] For a specific seating, service-animal or sensory question, contact the box office before buying rather than hoping the event configuration will work.
Family note: The Canucks describe fan activations as suitable for all ages.[2] Children still need the same entry planning as adults: an appropriate ticket, a permitted bag and a clear meeting plan if your group becomes separated.
Make It a Penticton Morning, Not a Packed Itinerary
Training Camp works well as the anchor for a simple half-day. Arrive for doors, watch the session, explore the confirmed fan activities and decide on lunch only after you know when the hockey portion wraps up.
If you still have energy, choose one nearby-style extension rather than racing across the valley: a relaxed downtown lunch, a walk near the Okanagan Lake waterfront, or a quiet coffee before heading home. Those ideas keep the day adaptable without pretending there is a fixed camp finish time.
Visitors staying longer can use the September Okanagan Events Calendar to check what else is happening from September 17 to 20. The same weekend includes arts, community, food and recreation events around the region, but verify every organizer before building a second commitment around camp.
What Could Still Change
The club’s August 26 announcement calls every listed time subject to change and says the complete roster and further information will be announced before camp.[1] That means this guide can confidently establish the dates, venue, door times, ticket levels and announced Saturday activities, but it should not invent player attendance or minute-by-minute ice times.
- Recheck the official Canucks Training Camp announcement.
- Open the latest ticket-holder email for event-specific entry and parking instructions.
- Confirm the roster if seeing a particular player matters to you.
- Review the SOEC bag policy before packing.
- Contact the box office in advance for accessible seating or service-animal needs.
The event was verified on September 8, 2026. If a later official update conflicts with this page, follow the Canucks, SOEC and Valley First Tix information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for Vancouver Canucks Training Camp in Penticton.
Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20, 2026. Doors are listed for 9:00 a.m. each day, subject to change.[1]
Thursday, Friday and Sunday are $10; Super Saturday is $20; limited four-day packages are $30. Additional fees and taxes apply.[1]
The announced program includes a Seattle travel-group morning skate, a practice with many top-name players, a Blue/White scrimmage, a leadership Q&A, Party on the Plaza and a live Canucks Insider Podcast recording.[1]
The Canucks say free fan activations are planned for fans of all ages. Families should still verify tickets, bag rules and the final daily schedule.[2]
Clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches are permitted, as are small non-clear clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Diaper and medical bags are allowed after inspection.[6]
Yes. Accessible seating depends on the event setup, and free accessible parking is first-come, first-served with a valid pass. Contact the box office when purchasing for accommodation needs.[5]
Official Sources and Image Credit
[1] Vancouver Canucks — Tickets, Super Saturday and 2026 schedule
[2] Vancouver Canucks — 2026 Training Camp announcement
[3] Visit Penticton — Vancouver Canucks Training Camp 2026
[4] South Okanagan Events Centre — Parking and directions
[5] South Okanagan Events Centre — Accessibility
[6] South Okanagan Events Centre — Clear bag policy
[7] South Okanagan Events Centre — Know Before You Go
Hero image: South Okanagan Events Centre panorama by Darren Kirby, Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0. The photograph predates the 2026 event and depicts the actual venue, not this Training Camp.
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