GATEWAY TO WORLDS
July 3-5, 2026
TOURNAMENT DETAILS:
Divisions: Men’s B, Men’s C, Men’s D, Co-ed Open, Women’s Open
Location: Ballhockey.com Canal Rinks (1944 Welland Canals Parkway, St. Catharines, ON)
Team Fee: $750 + tax (a $150 deposit is required to secure placement in the tournament schedule)
Roster Details: 20 rostered members per team maximum (including goalie(s))
Prizing: Division champions earn a full team entry into their respective 2026 WOBHC division, while finalists receive 50% of their team entry covered. In addition, each division winner will be awarded a $1,500 cash prize.
Prize Pool Boost: If any division reaches eight (8) teams or more, the winning cash prize for that division increases to $2,250.
Registration & Full Details: Register your team today here
Deadlines:
Team Registration – June 24, 2026 at 11:59PM
Roster Deadline – June 29, 2026 11:59PM
Spots are limited, so rally your squad and lock in your spot for the return edition of Gateway to Worlds. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of high-energy ball hockey at Niagara’s Home of Ball Hockey!
The Ballhockey.com Event Experience
At Ballhockey.com, we’re focused on delivering more than just games, we aim to create a complete event experience that carries value well beyond the final whistle. Through dedicated photography and videography, we capture the moments that matter, allowing players and teams to relive the weekend and share it with their communities. Combined with continually enhanced prizing and a commitment to elevating the atmosphere around every event, our goal is to ensure that every tournament feels meaningful, memorable, and worth being part of… both during the weekend and long after it ends.
Ratings Implications: This event DOES contribute to the Ratings Database, in addition teams/players must adhere to the Ratings Database to compete in this event.
*Any roster submitted after June 29, 2026 will not be checked/”approved” by club management, instead teams run the risk of forfeited games if fielding an illegal roster.
Rating Appeal: If you believe a player’s rating is inaccurate due to non-participation in a listed event (e.g., being rostered but not playing), you may submit a rating appeal — appeals require official confirmation from the issuing event organizer and must be received no later than June 26, 2026 (seven days prior to the tournament start date). For full eligibility requirements, documentation guidelines, and submission instructions, please visit the tournament restrictions page.
All Ballhockey.com Tournaments follow the Official Ballhockey.com Rule Book in addition all teams/players agree to the Ballhockey.com Tournament Rules
Event Tie-breaker Procedure: 1. More points, 2. More wins, 3. Head-to-head (matchup result), 4. Best goal differential, 5. More goals for, 6. Less minutes of penalties, 7. Less losses