Hockey Regina’s 2026–2027 budget is centered on building sustainability—ensuring continuity of the positive changes implemented over the past two seasons, while making targeted adjustments aligned with continuous improvement and long-term stability. 

Following a year focused on foundational change and investment, this budget reflects a shift toward refinement, optimization, and balance. The organization continues to respond to both external pressures and internal priorities with intentional, data-informed decisions aimed at enhancing value and experience for membership. 

Registration for the 2026–2027 season will open on June 1, 2026 at 9:00am CST. 

  • Players who register on or before June 30, 2026 will receive a $50 discount on the Evaluation & Administration Fee 
  • Registration will close on August 12, 2026 
  • Players registering after August 12 are not guaranteed to evaluate at their desired tier 
  • Registrations will not be accepted within 72 hours of a division/tier evaluation start date 
  • Players will be placed in the next available evaluation tier, or 
  • If already at the lowest tier, will enter the late registration process. 

Early registration is strongly encouraged to support accurate planning, evaluation scheduling, and overall program delivery. 

A key shift within this budget is the continued growth of non-member revenue streams, reducing reliance on registration fees. Historically, approximately 92% of Hockey Regina’s revenue has been derived from member fees. Through expansion in associate membership, sponsorship, and the transition to a Hockey Regina–owned tournament model, that ratio has been reduced to approximately 72% member fee revenue. 

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This shift allows the organization to: 

  • Contain fee increases, 
  • Reinvest in development and programming, and 
  • Enhance overall member experience. 

As a direct outcome, administration costs within player fees have been reduced to $214 per player, marking the lowest level since the 2019–2020 season.  

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BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY 

INVESTING IN DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE GAME 

Hockey Regina continues to prioritize development across players, coaches, and officials, recognizing it as one of the highest value drivers for membership. 

Key investments include: 

  • Continued coach mentorship model, with an emphasis on experienced, qualified mentors and both on- and off-ice support 
  • Ongoing power skating programming at the grassroots level 
  • Expansion of Hockey Saskatchewan PD day programming 
  • Continued mental health programming for U13–U18 participants 
  • Introduction of a Girls Holistic Development Grant (U13–U18 AAA), providing access to approved resources focused on female-specific development topics 
  • Continued goalie development programming for U9-U15 
  • Expanded officials development, including:  
  • Retention of the Referee-in-Chief (RIC) structure and kick off of Officials Committee 
  • Increased training for female officials, Sask Officials Development Model (SODM), U9/U11 grassroots, and off-ice officials 


MITIGATING COST PRESSURES WHILE MAINTAINING VALUE 

External cost pressures continue to impact the organization: 

  • Ice costs, which represent a significant portion of total expenses, are projected to increase 3–5% annually through at least 2028–2029 
  • Officials’ recruitment and retention challenges continue province-wide; additionally officiating game rate costs have risen as well— both particularly impacting older age divisions 

To mitigate these pressures, the organization has taken several steps: 

  • Leveraging new revenue streams to reduce administration costs, resulting in an average $73 per player benefit 
  • Adjusting game allocations in U15 and U18  
  • Conducting detailed ice utilization analysis and budget refinements to improve efficiency 
  • Investing in officials development to support long-term recruitment and retention 

These measures allow Hockey Regina to balance financial realities while maintaining a strong development and programming experience. 


REFINING PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIENCE 

Several programming adjustments have been incorporated into the 2026–2027 budget: 

  • Continued assessment of D-tier structures, with movement toward aligning ice allocations with C-tier allocations based on member feedback 
  • Introduction of U18C programming to improve competitive balance, while maintaining U18B as an additional non-contact tier.  
  • Adjustments to U9 game structure, maintaining four-team formats for 70% of games while introducing two-team sessions for the remaining 30%  
  • Increased practice allocations within select grassroots divisions and tiers to better support development 
  • Addition of two practices for U15AA Female to support equity in development relative to coed programming 
  • Ongoing assessment of female league conferencing at U13 

These changes reflect a continued commitment to skill alignment, player development, and positive game environments. 


INVESTING IN AFFORDABILITY AND COMMUNITY 

Hockey Regina remains committed to reducing barriers to participation through expanded affordability initiatives and community partnerships. 

Key actions include: 

  • Continued and expanded member fee rebate opportunities, with improved tracking, reporting, and structure 
  • Ongoing enhancements to the Bingo program, including updated rates and improved administration 
  • Increased focus on local sourcing and member engagement opportunities 
  • Strengthened community partnerships (e.g., UofR Cougars, AAA programs, U22, SuperHeroes, Sport Venture), creating more reciprocal value and enhanced member experiences 
  • Expanded activation with existing sponsorship partners for improved member value and experience 

These initiatives aim to both reduce financial barriers and deepen community connection to the game. 


SUPPORTING LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH REVENUE GROWTH 

Building on last year’s transition, Hockey Regina continues to grow diversified revenue streams through: 

  • Expansion of associate membership 
  • Increased sponsorship and partnership activation 
  • Continued optimization of the Hockey Regina tournament model 

Tournament adjustments for 2026–2027 include: 

  • Realignment of select events to better match demand and officials’ availability 
  • Growth of the U18A tournament from 16 to 24 teams 
  • Scheduling adjustments to support operational efficiency 

These efforts will continue to reduce reliance on registration fees while reinvesting in member experience. 


2026–2027 FEES & BUDGET OVERVIEW 

The 2026–2027 budget reflects stability in key fee areas alongside targeted adjustments: 

  • Evaluation & Administration Fees: No change 
  • Maximum Team Fees: No change (with addition of U18C) 
  • HRI Registration Fees: Adjustments based on division, tier, and program allocation changes 

As in prior years, Hockey Regina operates under a cost-recovery model, where registration fees reflect the true cost of delivering programming within each division and tier. 


HOCKEY FEE STRUCTURE 

Fees continue to be structured in three components: 

HRI Registration Fee 

Covers the cost of delivering hockey programming, including: 

  • Ice (practice and games) 
  • Officials and timekeepers 
  • League and insurance costs 
  • Jerseys and socks 
  • Administration and development 

Evaluation & Administration Fee 

Covers: 

  • Registration and evaluation administration 
  • Instructors and evaluation vendors 
  • Technology and systems 

Team Fees 

Collected and managed by individual teams and includes, but not limited to: 

  • Tournaments, exhibition games 
  • Additional ice 
  • Team activities and training 

Hockey Regina continues to maintain maximum team fee guidelines to support affordability and consistency. 


MOVING FORWARD 

The 2026–2027 budget represents a continued evolution toward a more sustainable, balanced, and member-focused organization. 

With strong foundational work now in place, the focus has shifted to: 

  • Maintaining momentum, 
  • Refining programming, 
  • Growing non-fee revenue, and 
  • Delivering meaningful value back to membership. 

Through these efforts, Hockey Regina remains committed to building a strong, accessible, and development-focused hockey experience for all participants.